In the second of a three-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (3-1) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (4-0) at the Great American Ball Park, Raisel Iglesias (0-0, 3.00 ERA) and Gerrit Cole (19-9, 2.70 ERA) take the mound. The Pirates won the last game 6-5, and Pittsburgh leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 9 and will air on FSOH and RTPT.
In his last start, Iglesias pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven in a 6-2 victory over the Phillies. Eugenio Suarez (.312 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one stolen base. Cole takes the hill on the other side. He pitched 213.0 innings last season, going 19-9 with a 2.70 ERA 1.10 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts. Starling Marte (.333 ) has been doing well to start the season, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, four RBIs, and one stolen base.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Reds are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with an MLB-high four steals. As for the pitching staff, the Reds are fifth in the NL in hits allowed at home with just 7.0 per game.
Pittsburgh has an eye for the strike zone, ranking third in the NL with 5.0 walks per game. Switching gears to Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.026 on the year, good for fifth in the league. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an NL-high 5.0 strikeouts per road game.
The only other game between the two teams went Pittsburgh’s way.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN
Notes
Cincinnati recorded at least two errors for the first time this season.
The Reds managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are coming in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds and the Pirates are both undefeated. Cincinnati has a 2-0 record in these situations while Pittsburgh is 4-0.
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh both rank in the top 10 of the league in runs. Cincinnati sits at seventh with 24 runs this season and Pittsburgh ranks ninth with 21.
Ranking ninth, Cincinnati is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 14 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 20.
When the Reds hit at least one home run, they are 2-1. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have a 1-0 record.
