Reds notes: How the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation is shaping up for the stretch run

When Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez was 18 years old, he pitched in a World Cup-style tournament in Cuba. In the highest-pressure situation of his young baseball career, Gutierrez won the game.

“From there on out, I never really thought of any playoff things,” Gutierrez said via interpreter Jorge Merlos. “For me, it’s that I have that confidence and I’m going to continue with that confidence throughout the rest of the time and the rest of this playoff run as well.”

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Down to the fifth starter, the Reds starting rotation has a staff of pitchers with experience in meaningful games.

Since…