The Pittsburgh Pirates look to change their misfortunes when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday for the second game of a series against their National League Central rivals.
The Pirates were off on Monday, but lost three of four games at home to San Diego, including three straight, after losing 8-5 on Sunday. The Pirates have dropped to fourth in a log-jammed NL Central but are still just two games out of first place.
Cincinnati lost two straight before hosting the Pirates on Tuesday in the series opener. On Sunday, the Reds lost to the Cubs 6-1 at home and lost three of four to their division rivals. The Reds have lost five of their last seven overall and are a distant 12 games off the pace. Reds pitching gave up three home runs in Sunday’s loss.
Corey Dickerson has the team lead in hits with 51 and RBIs with 29, while Gregory Polanco has the team lead in home runs with eight. Pittsburgh has a team batting average of .260 while opposing hitters are averaging .249 at the plate against Pirates pitching. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh will send Chad Kuhl to the mound. The right-hander this season is 4-2 with an ERA of 4.53, 47 Ks and 18 BBs.
Scooter Gennett leads the Reds with a.318 batting average and team high 55 hits. Adam Duvall has a team high nine home runs, and Eugenio Suarez a team high 32 RBIs. Cincinnati has a team batting average of .238 while opposing hitters are averaging .266 at the plate against Reds pitching. Cincinnati will send Homer Bailey to the mound on Wednesday. The right-hander this season is 1-6 with an ERA of 6.11, 32 Ks and 20 BBs.
