Reds vs. Pirates: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Previewing the pitching matchups: Reds vs. Pirates

When the Reds need to bounce back, Wade Miley (12-5 2.89 ERA) has been the guy. The left-hander gets the call in tonight’s opener and he’ll be opposed by Dillon Peters (0-2 3.38 ERA) of the Pirates. Once again, Miley was brilliant in his outing.

Tossing seven innings of five-hit one-run baseball, the Louisiana native stymied the Chicago Cubs en route to his 12th victory of the season. All signs point to win number 13 occurring this evening. Miley has not allowed a run in 13 frames in two starts against the Bucs this year.

Left-hander Dillon Peters will be making his fifth start for Pittsburgh after being purchased from the Los Angeles Angles in July. Working 18.2 innings, he’s surrendered just one gopher ball; however, he has issued seven free passes. Patience will be a virtue tonight for Reds’ hitters.

Wednesday night finds Vladimir Gutierrez (9-6 4.05 ERA) seeking that elusive 10th victory as he battles Mitch Keller (4-11 6.29 ERA). This will be the Reds’ right-hander fourth attempt to become the third member of the Cincinnati rotation to hit double digits in victories this season.

If this start is anything like his first appearance against Pittsburgh, the search will be over. The Cuban hurled six frames of one-run baseball while fanning a half-dozen Pirates. In addition, Gutierrez has posted an impressive 6-2 mark with a 3.43 ERA on the road in his debut campaign.

How poor has Mitch Keller been this season? Among all NL pitchers who have thrown at least 80 innings, he’s last in WHIP (1.77) and has compiled an unsightly -0.5 bWAR. Additionally, he’s been taken to the woodshed when facing the Reds. The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.86 ERA in his last five outings versus the Redlegs.

Thursday’s matinee series finale will feature Tyler Mahle (11-5 3.73 ERA) toeing the rubber for Cincinnati. Bucs skipper Derek Shelton has yet to announce his starter for the afternoon contest.

The Reds right-hander has been brilliant in two appearances against the Pirates this year. Working 12.1 innings, the California native has allowed three runs while punching out a remarkable 17 Pittsburgh hitters. Look for more of the same from Mahle on Thursday.