The Pittsburgh Pirates (12-7), one of the highest-scoring offenses in the National League, are set to host the Cincinnati Reds (7-11) at PNC Park on Thursday for the first of a four-game series. The Reds are heading on the road after a seven-game homestand (3-4).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rays, dropping the finale 8-0 on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Jose Barrero was 1 for 3.
The Pirates are back home for a seven-game homestand after concluding a successful seven-game road trip (5-2). They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies, taking the finale 14-3 on Wednesday at Coors Field. Connor Joe went 3 for 5 with a double, three runs, and one RBI. Andrew McCutchen added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Reds have won two of three in the season series between the NL Central rivals, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting on April 2 at Great American Ball Park.
Starter Graham Ashcraft got the win, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings, and Alexis Diaz picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Luke Weaver is in line to take the mound for Cincinnati, his season debut. Last season, the right-hander made 26 appearances (one starts) for the Royals and Diamondbacks and went 1-1 with a 6.56 ERA. He had 38 strikeouts and 13 walks over 35.2 innings.Right-hander Roansy Contreras (1-1, 6.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for Pittsburgh.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Reds. Contreras made three appearances against the Reds in 2022, all starts, striking out 12 and walking one over 14 innings (1-0, 2.57).
In his last start on Saturday, Contreras took a no-decision on the road against the Cardinals. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out six and walking three in the 6-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Cincinnati offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .250/.336/.397. Spencer Steer leads the team in OPS at .911. The shortstop is slashing .298/.400/.511 with two home runs, six RBIs, and nine runs over 15 games. Against righties like Contreras this season, the Reds have a .751 OPS.
TJ Friedl is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 43 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .244/.321/.419 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game, second best in the NL. McCutchen leads the team with a .946 OPS.
The right fielder has four home runs, nine RBIs, and 10 runs scored with a slash line of .302/.418/.528. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.6 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.314/.387/.546). The Bucs have a .737 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.083 OPS over 51 at-bats, Bryan Reynolds has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cincinnati is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 1-5 in 2023. The Reds have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.8 runs.
Pittsburgh has gone 3-3 at PNC Park this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 6.5. In the last 10 games at PNC Park between the teams, Pittsburgh is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Cincinnati (4.3-3.3).
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
