Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2012 ) Cincinnati 1, Pittsburgh 0
While Homer Bailey made history in the series opener, Mike Leake will merely look to keep the Cincinnati Reds trending in the right direction against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The National League Central champion Reds pulled into a tie with Washington in the race for home-field advantage in the postseason - and they did so in historic fashion. Bailey recorded his first career no-hitter and the seventh this season in Major League Baseball as Cincinnati posted a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh.
The Pirates' hard-luck loss clinched their 20th year without recording a winning record. Andrew McCutchen, the lone bright spot in the Steel City, saw his batting average dip to .330 after an 0-for-2 performance in the series opener. He trails San Francisco's Buster Posey (.334) for the National League lead in that department.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSOH (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (8-9, 4.73 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kyle McPherson (0-2, 3.54)
Leake improved to 2-3 in his career versus the Pirates after tossing seven solid innings in a 5-3 triumph on Sept. 11. The 24-year-old has struggled with the long ball of late, permitting seven homers in his last four starts. Leake settled for a no-decision in his last outing, yielding four runs in six innings against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 19.
McPherson's first two starts of the season have not gone according to plan. The 24-year-old last just 4 1/3 innings in both outings, dropping decisions to Milwaukee and the New York Mets. McPherson struggled with his control in his last start, issuing three walks and earning an early exit in a 6-2 setback to the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Todd Frazier's sacrifice fly in the first inning resulted in all of the scoring on Friday. Frazier has driven in a run in four of his last five games.
2. Pittsburgh 2B Neil Walker will miss the remainder of the season with a herniated disc in his back.
3. Cincinnati's Sam LeCure has not allowed a hit to any of the Pirates in his career. Collectively, Pittsburgh is 0-for-25 against the right-hander.