Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2024

Thursday’s Reds vs. Pirates matchup has a first pitch of 6:40 PM ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The money line odds have the Pirates at -149 compared to the Reds at +125. The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs.

SN PT will be televising this NL Central matchup, and Nick Lodolo is starting for the Reds, while the Pirates are going with Paul Skens. The Reds are 62-65 this season, while the Pirates are 59-67 and are 5th in the NL Central.

Cincinnati is sending left-hander Nick Lodolo to the mound today as he faces the Pirates on the road. Lodolo has made 20 starts this season and has a record of 9-5 with a 4.55 ERA. In his last outing, he only went 2 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits, eight earned runs, and two homers. Lodolo took the loss in that game. Before that, he had won two straight starts. Lodolo’s ERA at home is 7.57 compared to 3.11 on the road.

Elly De La Cruz has been a consistent hitter for the Reds this season, batting .262, and he is currently on a five-game hitting streak, going 5/17 in that stretch. He also has one home run in his last five games and four RBIs. De La Cruz’s 22 homers are the most on the team and 14th in the league. Spencer Steer and Jeimer Candelario are also near the top of the Reds’ home run list, but both are batting under .235 for the season.

As a team, the Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which is 14th in the league. They have been a better offensive team on the road this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game. Overall, they are 9th in home runs and have the league’s 12th best slugging percentage.

Pittsburgh is sending right-hander Paul Skenes to the mound today vs. the Reds. He has made 16 starts this year and has a record of 7-2. Skenes’ ERA is an impressive 2.30, along with a WHIP of .97. In his 16 appearances, he has turned in 12 quality starts. Skenes’ most recent outing came vs. the Mariners, where he picked up the win, going six innings and giving up two earned runs. Before that, he had given up at least two earned runs in three straight outings. Skenes has been much better at home, coming in with a 4-1 record and 3.06 ERA compared to 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA on the road.

So far this season, the Pirates offense is averaging just 4.1 runs per game, which is 24th in the MLB. They are also near the bottom of the league in home runs and have a collective batting average of just .234. One area where they have been good is avoiding strikeouts, as their 9 strikeouts per game is 27th in the league.

Bryan Reynolds has been the Pirates’ top hitter this season, batting .280 with 19 homers and 69 RBIs. He is also on a six-game hitting streak. Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz have also been solid power threats for the Pirates, with both players having 18 homers this season.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates gear up to host the Cincinnati Reds in a critical four-game series, all eyes are on their rookie sensation, Paul Skenes. The young star is looking to cap off an incredible first season in the majors, while the Pirates are carefully considering how to manage his workload as they focus on the future.

Paul Skenes’ Remarkable Rookie Campaign

Paul Skenes has been nothing short of phenomenal in his rookie season, living up to the hype that came with being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. With a 7-2 record and a 2.30 ERA, Skenes has been a force to be reckoned with on the mound, racking up 121 strikeouts in just 98 innings over 16 starts. His dominant performance has made him a top contender for National League Rookie of the Year.

However, Skenes has shown some signs of fatigue in recent outings, posting a 4.15 ERA in three starts this month. Despite this, he managed to notch a win in his last start against the Seattle Mariners, allowing just two runs on three hits over six innings, even though he struggled with his command, walking a season-high four batters.

With the Pirates out of the playoff race, there’s buzz that the team might shut Skenes down early to protect his arm for future seasons. While this could affect his Rookie of the Year bid, it highlights the Pirates’ commitment to their long-term plans for this rising star.

Pirates’ Recent Form and Challenges

The Pirates have had a mix of highs and lows recently, especially with their pitching staff. Mitch Keller delivered an outstanding performance with seven-plus shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Texas Rangers, and Domingo Germán, in his first start since July 2023, also shined with six shutout innings, despite the Pirates losing 1-0.

On the flip side, the bullpen has been a major concern, particularly with two-time All-Star reliever David Bednar struggling. Bednar gave up a walk-off run in his last outing, marking the seventh time in nine appearances that he’s allowed at least one earned run, leading to a worrying 9.00 ERA during this stretch. The Pirates will need Bednar to regain his form if they want to close out games successfully against the Reds’ potent lineup.

Reds Look to Rebound with Nick Lodolo

The Cincinnati Reds, fresh off a series win against the Toronto Blue Jays, will turn to left-hander Nick Lodolo to start the series against the Pirates. Lodolo is coming off his worst outing of the season, having given up eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals. Despite this setback, Lodolo has a solid track record against Pittsburgh, boasting a 2-1 record and a 2.95 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates, including a strong seven-inning performance in June.

The Reds’ offense has been electric lately, with the top of their batting order leading the charge. Jonathan India, Elly De La Cruz, and Tyler Stephenson combined for seven hits, seven RBIs, and seven runs in their last game. De La Cruz continues to make history, becoming one of the few players since 1901 to record at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season.

Injury Concerns and Impact

The Reds might have to do without outfielder Jake Fraley, who was scratched from the lineup due to a right knee sprain. While his absence could be a blow, the Reds’ recent offensive surge suggests they have the depth to handle it.

Series Implications

This series is crucial for both teams as they look to finish the season on a high note. For the Pirates, it’s a chance to showcase their young talent, especially Paul Skenes, while managing his workload carefully. The Reds, meanwhile, are fighting to secure their spot in the playoff race, with Nick Lodolo aiming to bounce back from his rough outing and lead his team to victory.

With the season winding down, every game is vital, and the performances of key players like Skenes, Lodolo, and De La Cruz will be crucial in determining the outcome of this series. Both teams have a lot at stake, making this an exciting matchup you won’t want to miss.

Today’s Reds vs. Pirates matchup should feature plenty of offense, as this is projected to be the 5th highest-scoring game of today’s league slate. For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over. As for who is going to take this one straight-up, we have our lean on the Reds to pick up the win. Looking at today’s starters, Nick Lodolo has the highest strikeout projection among today’s starters.