Can Pirates clobber Reds in series opener?
Last week’s trip through the NL Central was a bit of a mixed bag for the Pirates. Their next divisional opponent, however, comes across as considerably less imposing.
After getting swept by the Cubs and taking a series from the Cardinals, Pittsburgh confronts Cincinnati tonight. According to oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv, Clint Hurdle’s club is a 1.5-run favorite to prevail. The over/under total sits at nine runs.
Left fielder Starling Marte’s 3-for-5 effort keyed yesterday’s 10-5 victory in St. Louis. The Buccos hope such offensive prowess carries over to the Great American Ballpark, too, against Dan Straily (1-1, 3.56 ERA). Bryan Price’s starter this evening hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his four assignments. Most recently, the righty overcame two homers to vanquish San Francisco.
Hurdle responds with Jonathon Niese (3-1, 5.94), who probably requires an outburst from Marte and company. The lefty served up six runs and nine base knocks with five walks in Tuesday’s 7-1 home defeat to Chicago. Over the past three outings, he’s 1-1 with an 8.80 ERA and .414 OBA.
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Beyond Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh understands its vulnerability in the rotation. That’s why the bats must continue to produce at a high level. Look for the visiting crew to wreak havoc in said department, then lean on the relief corps to close out a series-opening triumph.
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