Alfredo Simon (1-3, 9.86 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (14-19) go up against Juan Nicasio (3-3, 4.02 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-15) in the second of a two-game division series at the Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the last game 3-2, and Cincinnati leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 11 and will air on FSOH and RTPT.
In his most recent outing, Simon pitched 7.2 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 9-5 victory over the Brewers. Brandon Phillips (.284, 16 Rs, 6 HRs, 16 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 Monday. The Pirates were unsuccessful against the Cubs 6-2 the last time Nicasio pitched. He went 4.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and walking three. Starling Marte (.341, 19 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Pirates, going 2 for 4 Monday with one stolen base.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Reds have a SU record of 10-9 against teams in their division. 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 fourth in all of baseball with 23 steals. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 7.1 strikeouts per game.
Against divisional foes, the Pirates are 8-13 SU. They sport the fifth-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. One of the top hitting teams in the league are the Pirates, who have a .280 batting average. 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.
The Reds have mostly come out on top against the Pirates in their previous seven games this season, earning a 4-3 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
In their last game, the Pirates lost by a margin of one run. The Reds are 7-4 in one-run games. The Pirates have a 4-4 record in close games.
The Reds managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are coming in with a 12-7 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 2-10. The Reds have a 4-15 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 21st in home runs, Pittsburgh has hit 30 this season. Cincinnati ranks 14th with 36 home runs.
Ranking 27th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.61 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 9.94.
Ranking 22nd, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.699). Pittsburgh ranks in the top five with an OPS of .793.
The Pirates are 9-12 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Reds are 11-18 when they allow at least one homer.
