An intriguing Friday night awaits you in the MLB, as the Pittsburgh Pirates (96-63), who have already clinched a postseason spot via the wild card route, will look to secure home field advantage for their impending NL wild card showdown with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday when they open up the final series of their 2015 campaign opposite the Cincinnati Reds (63-96) at PNC Park tonight. Can the Pirates do so and ultimately end the season on a high note?
Read on below for a detailed breakdown of this matchup. And if you’re craving for more baseball action, check out our other previews: Astros vs. D-Backs and Angels vs. Rangers. Enjoy.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When: Friday, October 2, 7:05 PM ET
Line: Cincinnati Reds (+200) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (-240); total: 7.5—View all MLB Lines
Betting on the Cincinnati Reds
It’s been a disappointing year for the Cincinnati Reds as they are bound to miss the postseason for the first time in two years. They’ve are also struggling lately, losing all of their previous ten contests which is currently the longest in the majors. The Reds will have one last opportunity to stop this drought and ultimately finish on a good note when they open up their final series of 2015 with the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Getting the nod for the Reds is Keyvius Sampson, who is 2-6 with a 6.46 ERA. He’s coming off a forgettable outing in his last time out opposite the Mets on Sunday, during which he was rocked for five runs (three earned) on eight hits through just 2 2/3 frames for the impending 8-1 defeat.
But prior to this game, the 24-year-old rookie was simply terrific as he logged in five solid innings of one-run ball despite losing to the Cardinals, 3-1, on September 22. Sampson, who makes his first-ever start versus the Bucs later, holds a 0-5 record with a dismal 8.14 ERA and 2.05 WHIP across seven home games (six starts) in his career.
With Sampson still getting his feet wet, the Reds ought to deliver the goods on offense to compensate for this. Expect them to rely heavily on their best batter in Joey Votto (.316), who’s had much success at home this season with a triple-slash line of .298/.477/.512. He’s had his struggles, though, in his head-to-head matchup with Gerrit Cole, batting 2-for-12 lifetime off the Pirates’ ace.
Cincinnati has lost all of its previous five games with Sampson starting.
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Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates failed to win the NL Central crown this season after losing the second game of their double-header to the Cardinals, 11-1. Despite this, they are still assured a postseason appearance via the wild card route. The Bucs will try to at least end their 2015 campaign with a smile when they open up their final series with the Cincinnati Reds this evening.
Toeing the rubber for Pittsburgh is Gerrit Cole (19-8, 2.60 ERA), who’s already been designated as the team’s playoff-opening starter. He continued to marvel during in his previous start, wherein he tossed seven innings of two-run ball for the resounding 8-2 triumph versus the St. Louis Thursday night. Cole will strive to capture his fifth-straight win and earn his 20th win of the year later while carrying a 10-5 mark with a 2.83 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and .243 opponents’ batting average in over 15 home starts this season.
As for the offense, expect Francisco Cervelli to lead the charge for the Bucs at the plate. Cervelli, who currently leads the team in batting (.299), has been very comfortable playing on the road throught the year, hitting .300 with 12 doubles and 14 RBIs under his name. But tonight marks the first time he faces off with the Reds’ rookie, Keyvius Sampson.
Pittsburgh is 6-1 in Cole’s last seven turns.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Pirates (-240) get the commanding 7-1 victory.
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