The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost eight of their last 10 games and begin a four game weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds. The bucs are technically still in the National League Wild Card race, but this weekend’s set remains a crucial one for Clint Hurdle‘s bunch.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (68-69) sit 4.5 games behind the New York Mets and St Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot. The Bucs won their first game since Aug. 28 last night and are hoping that they can start a winning streak that can get them back into even more legitimate contention.
The Cincinnati Reds (57-81) haven’t had the best season in 2016. Like the Pirates, the Reds have lost eight of their last 10 games and sit in last place in the NL Central.
Despite the struggles, the Reds provide a dangerous matchup for the Bucs as they are a team with nothing to lose. Here are three matchups to watch out for during this four game series:
3.) Ivan Nova vs Brandon Phillips
Tonight, Ivan Nova has a chance to redeem himself. Not against the Reds, but against Brandon Phillips.
In Nova’s Pirates debut, the right hander allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out five in seven innings. Two of those three runs came off the bat of Phillips, who slugged two solo home runs against the Pirates pitcher.
Phillips had faced Nova before, but not since 2012. In his career against Nova, Phillips is 4-for-9 (.444) with the two home runs, three RBIs, and one strikeout.
Nova has been rock solid for the Bucs since coming over from the New York Yankees. In six starts, Nova is 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Nova has allowed four home runs in 37.1 innings.
Record aside, the Reds are still a dangerous team and Phillips is a big reason why. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he has against Nova in round two of their 2016 battle.
2.) Josh Harrison vs Dan Straily
Tonight, Dan Straily opposes Ivan Nova on the mound.
Straily had issues with command in his last outing, walking a career high seven batters against the St Louis Cardinals. Straily is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in his last three starts and is 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA in 29 appearances (26 starts).
The Reds hurler has had experience against members of the Pirates lineup before, but none more than Josh Harrison.
In his career against Straily, Harrison is 3-for-10 (.300) with two of his three hits being home runs. Harrison is hitting leadoff in tonight’s lineup, which could benefit him and the Pirates alike.
In 36 games out of the leadoff spot this season, Harrison is hitting .313 with one home run, 15 RBIs, and a .331 OBP.
Harrison is hitting .367 in his last seven games and could be primed for a big night against the Reds righty.
1.) Josh Bell vs Tim Adleman
As the season progresses, we could be seeing a lot more out of Josh Bell.
The 24-year old has shown the Pirates glimpses of what to expect in the future since the day he debuted in the major leagues. In 21 games, Bell is hitting .277 with two home runs and 10 RBIs, while he has compiled 11 walks compared to just four strikeouts.
Being so young, Bell is facing a ton of pitchers for the very first time. This series is no different.
Tomorrow night, Tim Adleman toes the rubber for the Reds. The 28-year old made his MLB debut in early May and has struggled a bit for the Reds. In eight starts this season, Adleman is 2-3 with a 4.02 ERA and has allowed 10 home runs in 40.1 innings pitched.
Adleman has allowed seven home runs in his last three starts combined and this is something the Pirates can take advantage of. Bell is without a doubt a legitimate power threat, meaning he could find himself in a favorable matchup against the Reds young pitcher.
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