Reds vs Pirates: Preview, pitching matchups and prediction

Lucas Sims has found a home in Reds bullpen

On several occasions this year Reds Country has been forced to have their children leave the room when the bullpen gate swings open due to the carnage the relief corps has left behind. However, Lucas Sims has been the one reliable arm in an otherwise untrustworthy bullpen.

Making eight appearances thus far, Sims has whiffed 11 batters and compiled a magnificent 1.08 ERA and 0.840 WHIP in 8.1 innings. The Georgia native is on the cusp of making himself a permanent fixture in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen.

What Lucas Sims is doing to left-handed hitters is almost criminal this year. He’s fanned nine of the 19 lefties he’s faced while only allowing one hit. That’s getting it done and the type of versatility you need from your relievers when they’re going to be facing a minimum of three batters every time out.

Arriving in the Queen City as part of the return the Reds received from the Atlanta Braves for Adam Duvall in July of 2018, Lucas Sims has been everything the Reds could have hoped for, and more. The former first-round pick has shown great flexibility, as last year Sims made 24 appearances for the Reds including four as a starter.

Prediction

Missed opportunities have been a theme for the 2020 Reds, however, this is the series to get it right. The Pirates are arguably the worst team in baseball and despite their success in recent years against the Redlegs, they shouldn’t stand a chance versus this Reds club.

After squandering an opportunity for a two-game series sweep over the Kansas City Royals, look for the Cincinnati Reds to take 3-of-4 from the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend and end the homestand sitting at .500 overall.