Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates 9/14/22

The Pittsburgh Pirates (54-88) are on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (56-85) at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the four-game series. The Pirates lead the series 3-0 after sweeping Tuesday’s doubleheader. After taking the opening game 6-1, Pittsburgh followed up with a 1-0 win in game two, their eighth head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Chase De Jong got the win with 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and Duane Underwood Jr. earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Rodolfo Castro was 1 for 4 with a double and one run in the win. Stuart Fairchild had Cincinnati’s only hit, going 1 for 2 with a double for the Reds.

ON THE MOUND

Roansy Contreras (5-4, 3.57 ERA) is in line to get the start for Pittsburgh. The RHP allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 8-2 road win over the Cardinals on Friday. He got the win, scattering four hits while striking out one and walking two. Contreras has made one previous start against the Reds this season, a 4-2 road victory on July 7. He surrendered one run on four hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one. For Cincinnati, LHP Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.95 ERA) takes the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on Friday, Lodolo got the win on the road against the Brewers. He threw eight innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out 11, in the 8-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.6. Against lefties like Lodolo this season, the Bucs have a .655 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB. Diego Castillo is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with ann .821 OPS in 126 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.2 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.162/.237/.240). The Reds have a .680 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .621 OPS over 323 at-bats, Kyle Farmer has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 26-45 on the road in 2022, scoring 3.4 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Cincinnati has gone 29-42 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 games at Great American Ball Park between the NL Central rivals, Pittsburgh is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Cincinnati (4.7-3.8).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 29 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 26 games behind the Cardinals.