The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series between National League Central rivals that have fallen out of the division race a bit. Both teams have struggled since the All-Star break and sit in fourth and fifth in the division, behind the three teams ahead of them that are just one game apart from each other.
Going The Wrong Way
The Pirates are 46-59 this season and currently in last place in the most interesting division in baseball, the NL Central. The division has been so back and forth and so tight that any team truly has a shot to take it if they can make the correct moves at the deadline and go on a hot streak. As of now, the Pirates are spiraling in the opposite direction, going 1-9 over their last 10 games after dropping their last matchup to the Mets, 8-7.
Jordan Lyles will be getting the start for the Pirates in this matchup. Lyles is 5-7 this year after losing to the Cardinals in his last start, where he allowed eight runs over just 1 2/3 innings. He now carries a 5.36 ERA with 90 strikeouts. The 28-year-old will look to get back on track against the Reds and hopefully push his whole team in the right direction.
Despite the rocky season the Pirates have had, Josh Bell has been a huge bright spot. The young star is leading the Pirates in just about every stat on offense. He currently has a .287 batting average with 27 home runs and 86 runs batted in. If Pittsburgh decides to sell and rebuild at the trade deadline, Bell will without a doubt be a player they will build around. Unfortunately, Bell is currently day-to-day, and they will need other players to step up while they are without him and other starters such as Corey Dickerson, Jameson Taillon, and Gregory Polanco, who are all currently on the IL to some extent.
Needing Better Results
The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, just above the Pirates, seven games back from first place. They are 48-55 this season and 27-25 at home. Cincinnati will look to take some wins against this divisional opponent to catch up with the top of the NL Central.
Starting for the Reds will be right-hander Sonny Gray. Gray is 5-6 this season with a 3.29 ERA and an impressive 127 strikeouts. The Reds will need Gray to shut down the Pirates, who have been ice cold lately, so they can take advantage and steal some games.
Just like the Reds’ season, their batters have been up and down all year as well. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez is leading the team with 28 home runs and 69 runs batted in. Shortstop Jose Iglesias leads the team in batting average with .280. Cincinnati is batting just .245 as a team this year with 140 home runs as a team.
What To Expect
These teams are pretty even, and their records reflect that. Division games are always hard to find a clear winner, but with all the injured Pirates and their current cold streak, I like the Reds to take the win in this one.
