Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds 4/23/23

The Pittsburgh Pirates (15-7) host the Cincinnati Reds (7-14) at PNC Park on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series. The Pirates lead the series 3-0 after winning 2-1 on Saturday, their fourth head-to-head victory in six games this season.

Starter Rich Hill got the win, allowing one run on six hits over five innings and striking out seven, and Duane Underwood Jr. threw two scoreless innings to pick up his second save.Bryan Reynolds went 2 for 3 with two doubles and one RBI in the win. Ke’Bryan Hayes added a triple and one run. Jonathan India was 1 for 5 with one run for the Reds.

ON THE MOUND

Hunter Greene (0-0, 4.24 ERA) is set to take the mound for Cincinnati. The right-hander threw three scoreless innings in his last start, an 8-1 road win over the Rays on Monday. He gave up three hits while striking out one in the no-decision.

Greene has made one previous start against the Pirates this season, a 5-4 home loss on March 30. He surrendered three runs on five hits over 3.1 innings, striking out eight and walking three. For Pittsburgh, right-hander Vince Velasquez (2-2, 5.40 ERA) will toe the rubber.

He has made one prior start against the Reds this season, giving up three runs over 4.2 innings in a 3-1 road defeat on April 2. He gave up five hits and walked one, while striking out three in the loss.

In his last start on Tuesday, Velasquez got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking three in the 5-3 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged only 1.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while slashing worse across the board (.189/.254/.201). Against righties like Velasquez this season, the Reds have a .675 OPS. India is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .860 OPS in 54 at-bats.

Pittsburgh is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.0 for the season. The Bucs have a .760 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .414 OBP over 66 at-bats, Andrew McCutchen has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cincinnati is on a six-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 1-8 in 2023. The Reds have scored 3.3 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.3 runs.

Pittsburgh has gone 6-3 at their home park this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. Pittsburgh is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the NL Central rivals at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 3.8-3.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Reds are fifth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Pirates are second in the NL Central, zero games behind the Brewers.