In the first of a three-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (13-19) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-14) at the Great American Ball Park, Dan Straily (1-1, 3.56 ERA) and Jonathon Niese (3-1, 5.94 ERA) take the mound. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 9 and will air on FSOH and RTPT.
In his last start, Straily pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 7-4 victory over the Giants. Adam Duvall (.258, 12 Rs, 6 HRs, 11 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Pirates were unsuccessful against the Cubs 7-1 the last time Niese pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing six runs, striking out three and walking five. Starling Marte (.336, 19 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been doing well, going 3 for 5 yesterday with two runs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Against teams in the NL Central, the Reds have a SU record of 10-8. Cincinnati has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking third in all of baseball with 23 steals. The most recent 10 game stretch for Cincinnati’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Cincinnati’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. An area where the Reds are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 7.2 K’s per game.
Against teams in their division, the Pirates are 7-13 SU. They sport the fifth-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. Pittsburgh is the top hitting team in the league, converting .284 of their at-bats for hits. Pittsburgh has an eye for the strike zone, ranking second in the NL with 4.1 walks per game. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Pittsburgh is 8-9, while Cincinnati is 6-9.
The Pirates are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 10 runs. The Reds have a 0-3 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 8-4. The Pirates have a 14-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 16th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 132 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five with 156.
Ranking 29th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 76 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at third with 127.
When the Reds hit at least one home run, they are 10-10. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have an 11-7 record.
