Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2011 ) Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 1
THE STORY: As they make a late push for their first winning season since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates should be glad to welcome the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series starting Friday. Pittsburgh is 7-2 against the Reds this season, and just one game behind Cincinnati for third place in the National League Central. Starter Kevin Correia, however, has struggled mightly at PNC Park, going 2-8 with a 7.58 ERA. Reds starter Homer Bailey is 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in six career starts against the Pirates.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT, FS-O
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Kevin Correia (12-11, 4.62 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (7-5, 4.43 ERA)
Correia is coming off a sparkling outing in which he held the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers to one run over 6 2/3 innings, but lost 1-0. It was his third straight defeat. Batters are hitting .285 against him. Second baseman Brandon Phillips is 4-for-17 (.235) with one homer and five RBIs versus Correia.
Bailey also shined in his last start, holding the San Diego Padres to one run over seven innings in a 13-1 rout. He has alternated between excellent and horrible over his last five outings. Opponents are hitting .265 against Bailey, who needs to be careful against several current Pirates. Garrett Jones is 5-for-16 (.313), Andrew McCutchen is 5-for-15 (.333) and Ryan Doumit is 4-for-11 (.364) against Bailey.
ABOUT THE PIRATES (58-64): The Pirates had a day off Thursday for the first time since July 21; they won’t have another until Sept. 8. Jones has been hot in August, hitting .328 (19-for-58) with four homers and eight RBIs. He’s contributed to a power surge that’s seen Pittsburgh homer in its past five games at PNC Park. Outfielder Xavier Paul rolled an ankle running the bases and slammed his knee into a wall in foul territory Tuesday and wasn’t in the lineup Wednesday. He is expected to play on Friday.
ABOUT THE REDS (60-64): Edgar Renteria (groin) did not play again Thursday but has improved and should be back soon. Phillips batted leadoff Wednesday and Thursday for the first time all season, going 3-for-8 with a walk and an RBI. Last year, Phillips hit in the top spot 72 times, and the Reds went 43-29 in those games. Regular leadoff hitter Drew Stubbs batted sixth Wednesday and Thursday.
FINAL PITCH: The Pirates might call up Ross Ohlendorf for a spot start in Monday’s doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers.