RC+ Preview: Reds vs Pirates (Aug. 24)

by — August 24, 2019 in Game/Series Preview

The Reds look to rebound from a disappointing loss last night, as the Pirates came through with a couple runs in the 9th to win 3-2. If the Reds want to get on a little roll on this road trip, they need to turn things around tonight.

Pitching Matchup

This pitching matchup shouts run scoring.

Alex Wood is still working his way back from missing most of the season with a back injury. This is his sixth start. He’s been hit hard the last couple times out. 

Trevor Williams is making his 20th start of the season. His first two were against the Reds back in March and April.

Pitch arsenal for Trevor Williams. Lots of fastball, slider, change, sinker.

Reds Lineup

Nick Senzel gets a night off. With Jesse Winker on the IL, Phillip Ervin will play center. Josh VanMeter plays left and leads off. Aristides Aquino, who hit his 12th home run last night, bats fourth. Tucker Barnhart, who is batting .319/.424/.542 since the All-Star game, bats fifth. Jose Iglesias and Freddy Galvis are both in the lineup. Derek Dietrich takes first base for Joey Votto, who is on the IL.

Ervin has 89 plate appearances against RH batters and is hitting .244/.303/.329 for a wRC+ of 65. In his last 9 games overall, Ervin is hitting .192/.250/.231.

[Graphics: Baseball Savant]

Pirates Lineup

[Graphics: Baseball Savant]

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Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.

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