The Pittsburgh Pirates (14-7) host the Cincinnati Reds (7-13) at PNC Park on Saturday. The Pirates lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-2 on Friday, their third head-to-head victory in five games this season.
Starter Mitch Keller went six innings to get the win, giving up two runs on four hits, and David Bednar earned his seventh save with a scoreless ninth.
Connor Joe went 3 for 3 with a double and two runs in the win. Tyler Stephenson was 1 for 4 with one run for the Reds.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Cessa (0-2, 7.00 ERA) is slated to start for Cincinnati. The right-hander allowed 11 runs over three innings in his last start, a 14-3 road defeat against the Phillies on Sunday. He took the loss, scattering 14 hits and walking three. Cessa is making his first appearance against the Pirates this season.
Over five appearances (two starts) against the Pirates in 2022, Cessa was 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA over 15.1 innings. He had nine strikeouts and four walks.
For Pittsburgh, left-hander Rich Hill (1-2, 5.57 ERA) will take the mound. He has made one prior start against the Reds this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 6-2 road defeat on April 1.
He gave up three hits and walked two, while striking out seven in the loss.In his last start on Monday, Hill got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 14-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while performing worse across the board (.186/.253/.237). Against left-handed pitchers like Hill this season, the Reds have a .652 OPS.
Kevin Newman is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.162 OPS in 16 at-bats. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.1 for the season, with a better slash line (.301/.379/.528). The Bucs have a .752 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .414 OBP over 63 at-bats, Andrew McCutchen has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cincinnati is on a five-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 1-7 in 2023. The Reds have scored 3.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs.
Pittsburgh has gone 5-3 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. Pittsburgh is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 3.9-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Reds are fifth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Pirates are second in the NL Central, zero games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
