Cole’s return to mean tight Pirates-Reds duel?
After a brief delay to begin the year, it’s back to being a Cole world for Buccos.
Gerrit Cole aims for a triumphant return to the rotation when the Pirates and Reds square off today, with a 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch the Great American Ballpark. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the visitors odds of -145 to claim their fifth game in a row.
Pittsburgh’s considerable success so far has come without the aid of its ace. A spring rib injury prevented the righty from taking the ball in the season-opener series against St. Louis, but he’s ready to rectify some demons vs. Cincinnati. The perennial Cy Young candidate absorbed three losses from Cincy in 2015, giving up 13 earned runs in 19 2/3 innings.
His opposition this afternoon comes in the form of Raisel Iglesias, who acquitted himself well on Monday. The 25-year-old permitted two runs on six hits across six frames, striking out seven in a no-decision. He does carry an unsightly 6.52 ERA, though, when facing the Pirates.
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Under the tutelage of Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh could well improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1983. Trouble with runners in scoring position makes us reluctant to predict a high-scoring affair, though, and Cole’s presence usually ensures a grind-it-out affair on offense.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/REDS UNDER 7 RUNS
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