The Cincinnati Reds head into PNC Park in Pittsburgh for a three game series with the Pirates. The Reds have played the Pirates fairly well over the past couple seasons winning 17 of the last 29 meetings overall but just 1 of the last 4 meetings played in Pittsburgh.
Head to Head Trends
Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Reds are 17-12 in the last 29 meetings overall.
Pittsburgh Pirates (-150)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 3rd in the National League Central 12.5 games back of the 1st place Chicago Cubs. The Pirates looked like they were going to be one of the better teams in the NL for the first couple months of the season but they have cooled off of late winning just 1 of their last 5 games.
When the Pirates were playing good they were really hitting the ball well averaging close to 5 runs per game but their offense has dropped off averaging just 4.55 runs per game on the season. Their Pitching wasn’t really their strong suit to begin with but that’s dropped off as well now allowing 4.62 runs per game.
Starting for the Pirates today is rookie Jameson Taillon who is 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 8 starts so far this season. Taillon looks like he has some pretty good stuff striking out 37 while walking just 5. The only knock on Taillon so far is he don’t really throw a lot of pitches averaging under 85 pitches per start.
Pittsburgh Pirates Trends
Pirates are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
Pirates are 49-19 in their last 68 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cincinnati Reds (+130)
The Cincinnati Reds are last in the National League Central a full 22 games out of 1st place. The Reds have had all kinds of problems this season especially with their pitching staff who have a league worst 5.11 ERA. They do however seem to be pitching much better of late with a 3.74 ERA over their last 10 games so that’s something.
On the hill for the Reds today is Anthony DeSclafani who is 6-0 with a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts this season. DeSclafani missed the first couple months of the season but since coming back in June he has pitched great allowing 3 or less runs in 9 of his 10 starts.
Cincinnati Reds Trends
Reds are 11-5 in their last 16 overall.
Reds are 4-1 in DeSclafanis last 5 starts.
Pick Conclusion
I’m going with the Cincinnati Reds over the Pirates in this one. The Reds might be one of the worst teams in baseball but they have bee playing much better of late winning 11 of their last 16 games while the Pirates are kind of going in the opposite direction losing 5 of their last 6 games.
Free Pick: Cincinnati Reds +130
