The Cincinnati Reds (60-57, 73-44 RL, 59-58 O/U) battle the Pittsburgh Pirates (52-63, 57-58 RL, 61-50-4 O/U) in the second of a three-game divisional series on Saturday evening. The Reds will send Brandon Williamson to the mound. The Pirates will be going with a bullpen start. The Pirates lead the season series 5-2.
Brandon Williamson will get the nod in this bout. Williamson came through with one of his best outings of the season last time out, limiting the Marlins to only one run in 6.2 innings, and was credited with the victory. The rookie lefty had a rough opening month but was dominant in July and has posted a 4.54 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP accompanied by a 4-2 record in 75.1 innings pitched on the season. Williams has squandered 13 home runs. This is his first meeting against the Pirates.
It’s been a struggle for a young Reds squad recently. They have yet to win a series this month. The squad was issued a surprising home sweep at the hands of the Nationals before dropping two of three games against the Marlins this week despite allowing just 10 runs. They are 2-8 in their last ten games and are 2.5 games back of the Brewers
CES. JDV. B2B. pic.twitter.com/dCr9LwINe2
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 7, 2023
Tyler Stephenson has been a tough out against the Pirates, hitting .307 along with a respectable .795 OPS. The veteran catcher is having a decent season, collecting 39 RBIs along with a .683 OPS. Stephenson has just two RBIs and a .566 OPS in August. Jonathan India remains out of the lineup.
Cincinnati is scoring an average of 4.82 runs, ranking them ninth. The pitching staff has recorded a 4.83 team ERA, placing them 25th.