Reds vs Pirates: Preview, pitching matchups and prediction

The Reds welcome their bitter rivals, the Pirates for a four-game set.

The names may change, but the dislike remains the same. No matter the sport, it seems when the teams from Cincinnati (8-10) and Pittsburgh get together they just can’t play nice with one another. Let’s hope the only action this weekend is between the lines and that Reds and Pirates remain in their respective bullpens and dugouts.

While last year’s season series garnered more attention for all the fisticuff, Pirates’ fans are more inclined to discuss the results. Pittsburgh took 12-of-19 from the Cincinnati Reds last year and this was following the 2018 campaign where they flat out dominated by going 14-5 against the Redlegs.

What the Pirates will find in the 2020 Reds is a club of great generosity. Not only has the Cincinnati bullpen been a complete trainwreck, but the Reds have trouble just recording three outs an inning. That was on full display in a disappointing series split with the Kansas City Royals where Cincinnati allowed one run in five of the first six innings on Wednesday night.

Kyle Farmer notwithstanding, watching the Reds play defense is indeed a comedy of errors. In the two games against the Royals, the defense committed three errors, threw two wild pitches, had a passed ball and allowed two unearned runs to score. This Reds team is talented, but not good enough to continue to overcome these mistakes.