The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates continue their four-game set at PNC Park with game three in the series on Wednesday. The Reds won game two in the series on Tuesday by a score of 4-1. That came a day after a 6-5 Pirates win in game one on Monday. <\/p>\n
Cincinnati Reds (8-11) at Pittsburgh Pirates (9-11)<\/strong>
\nDate: Wednesday, April 23, 2014<\/strong>
\nTime: 7:05 PM ET<\/strong>
\nVenue: PNC Park<\/strong>
\nCity: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<\/strong>
\nO\/U Odds: 7.5<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Pittsburgh -120, Cincinnati +110<\/strong>
\nPitching Matchup: RH Alfredo Simon (2-1, 0.86 ERA) at RH Charlie Morton (0-2, 4.32 ERA)<\/strong>
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The Reds now find themselves looking to win their third series in a row after losing each of their first four series to begin the season. Those three consecutive wins include a series victory over the Pirates from April 14-16.<\/p>\n
The Reds have won five of seven games along the way, and will need to win each of the next two games against Pittsburgh to keep this trend going.<\/p>\n
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To get things started, the Reds turn to Alfredo Simon, who has been lights out for the team thus far. Through his first three starts of the season, Simon has posted a 0.86 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, with each number tying for third in baseball.
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\nSimon has yet to face Pittsburgh this season, but he has thrown 21 \u2153 innings against them in his career, holding the team to a .284 slugging percentage. Simon knows that each start could be his last as the team awaits the return of Mat Latos. Simon is working hard to maintain his spot in the rotation, even if it may be in vain. Either way, we can enjoy the good times now while they last.<\/p>\nCharlie Morton counters for the Pirates. He\u2019s struggled thus far this season, posting a 4.32 ERA and 1.32 WHIP on the year. Those numbers are helped by a solid first start to the year. Over his last three outings, Morton has posted a 5.68 ERA.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s little reason to expect him to turn things around against the Reds. The team\u2019s roster has posted a .305 batting average against Morton in his career, slugging at a .455 clip. The Reds had struggled to score runs earlier in the year, but the team has really picked up in that department. Over their last nine games, the Reds have scored a whopping 6.1 runs per game.<\/p>\n
Simon has been so good this season that it\u2019s impossible to consider fading him. Also, while Morton has struggled against the Reds at times, it\u2019s difficult to imagine him having too much trouble in front of his home faithful.<\/p>\n
The Reds are 5-0 their last five times playing game three of a series, while the Pirates are 1-4 in Morton\u2019s last five home starts.<\/p>\n
The under is 6-2-1 in Morton\u2019s last nine starts against the Reds, and 16-6-1 in his last 23 home starts overall.<\/p>\n