The Pirates will play in their first postseason game in 21 years when they host the Reds in the National League Wild Card game. The Pirates secured home field advantage by sweeping a three-game series in Cincinnati and the winner of this game meets the Cardinals in the divisional round. The Reds are in the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, but struggled down the stretch with five consecutive losses to match a season-worst skid.
The Reds planned to start Mat Latos but scratched him due to elbow soreness and will instead go with Johnny Cueto, who is 8-2 with a 1.91 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 13 career starts at PNC Park. The Pirates opted for Francisco Liriano, who struggled against the Reds this season with an 0-3 record and a 3.70 ERA in four starts. Andrew McCutchen (.317 batting average, 21 home runs, 84 RBIs and 27 stolen bases) had an MVP-caliber season while Joey Votto (.306 batting average, 24 home runs, 73 RBIs) set a franchise record by reaching base 316 times.
The Pirates won the season series 11-8, including a 5-4 record at home.
According to the oddsmakers at BetAnySports, the Reds are at +120, the Pirates are at -130 and the total is set at 6½.
Pitching Matchup:
Johnny Cueto (5-2, 2.82 ERA) vs. Francisco Liriano (16-8, 3.02 ERA)
Johnny Cueto has been outstanding in two starts since returning from an injury and has allowed one earned run and eight hits in 12 innings. Cueto blanked the Pirates on one hit over eight innings on May 31 and then went on the disabled list for the second of three times this season. He is 13-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 21 career starts against the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen is batting .231 with three home runs in 39 career at-bats against Cueto.
Francisco Liriano has been dominant at home, going 8-1 with a 1.47 ERA in 11 outings. Though Liriano set a career best for victories, he struggled in September with a 1-2 record and a 5.14 ERA in five starts. The left-hander had a sharp outing against the Reds on September 20 when he gave up two runs and three hits in eight innings while receiving a no-decision. Joey Votto is 2-for-10 against Liriano.
Game information:
8:07 PM ET, October 1
PNC Park
Coverage: TBS
81° F/ 27° C
Clear
NL Wild Card Game: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
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