Cincinnati Reds Series Preview: NL Central Play Begins

Off to a 3-0 start, the Cincinnati Reds are set to face a division foe for the first time in 2016.

A rivalry that has grown increasingly heated in past years is set to resume this weekend when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Great American Ball Park to take on the Reds for a three-game series. Every time these two teams tangle, there seems to be some sort of fireworks and tempers finally boiled over on August 2 of last season, when the benches cleared and three players were ejected.

For that reason alone, this will be an interesting series to watch, but adding to the intrigue is that both teams are undefeated (3-0) heading into the series and are averaging more than five runs per game.

Last year’s matchup

• The Reds (64-98) held the advantage over the Pirates (98-64), going 11-8 in the season series.
• In 19 games, the Reds outscored the Pirates by a margin of 81-69.
• Playing at home in Great American Ball Park, the Reds were 6-4, including a three-game sweep of the Pirates to open the season.
• Batters were hit by a pitch on 18 occasions when these teams met in 2015.

Pirates scouting report

After making the playoffs but not advancing further than the NLDS for the past three seasons, the Pirates are set up to compete against the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs for the NL Central crown once again. They’ll look a bit different this year, with Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez on new teams and A.J. Burnett retired, but the main cast remains in place, led by what may be the best outfield in baseball. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Starling Marte are still the big bats in the lineup, with right fielder Gregory Polanco looking to have a breakout year and fulfill his tremendous potential. The strength of the Pirates team should once again be their pitching, which ranked second in baseball in team ERA (3.21) last season. Anchored by Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, newcomer Jon Niese and spring surprise Juan Nicasio, the starting rotation looks to be solid unit, while Mark Melancon and Tony Watson will again lead one of the best bullpens in the game.

Probable pitchers

Game 1 (April 8, 7:10 p.m. ET)

• Francisco Liriano (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.58 FIP) vs. Alfredo Simon (13-12, 5.05 ERA, 4.77 FIP)

Game 2 (April 9, 1:10 p.m. ET) 

• Gerrit Cole (19-8, 2.60 ERA, 2.66 FIP) vs. Raisel Iglesias (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3.25 FIP)

Game 3 (April 10, 1:10 p.m. ET) 

• Jeff Locke (8-11, 4.49 ERA, 3.95 FIP) vs. TBA (¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Players to watch

• Reds: Devin Mesoraco

In his return from a hip injury that took most of the 2015 season away from him, the Reds catcher has shown no ill effects since returning to the field. He smoked the ball during spring training, hitting .412/.474/.882 with two doubles and two home runs, but has gotten off to a slow start through the first three games of the regular season (1-for-9). For the Reds’ offense to reach its potential, getting Mesoraco back to his 2014 self will be vital. That could start on Friday when the team goes up against Liriano. While most Cincinnati hitters have struggled against the southpaw, Mesoraco has flourished, going 5-for-13 with two doubles and seven walks in 20 plate appearances.

• Pirates: Andrew McCutchen

The Pirates’ MVP always takes it to the Reds, bashing 25 career home runs against them — his highest total against any team — and boasting a career slash line of .270/.385/.513. Now batting second in the Pittsburgh lineup, he’s off to a sizzling start in 2016, reaching base in eight of his first 14 plate appearances. Slowing him down will be important for the Reds to win the series.

Injury report

The injuries are already piling up for the Reds, with Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, John Lamb, Jon Moscot, Michael Lorenzen and Yorman Rodriguez currently on the 15-day disabled list. Second baseman Brandon Phillips has also missed the last two games with an illness, but is back in the lineup for Friday’s game. DeSclafani looked like Sunday’s likely starter, but will not be as he’s not yet feeling 100 percent recovered from his oblique strain, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Zach Buchanan.

The Pirates stayed relatively healthy through spring training. Infielder Jung Ho Kang is still recovering from a broken left leg and torn MCL suffered at the end of last season, while reliever Jared Hughes is dealing with a lat strain.