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3 key things to watch for in the Reds upcoming series with the Pirates

By Drew Koch |
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) eyes a tag.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) eyes a tag. / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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The Cincinnati Reds (3-22) limp back home having lost six straight games on their road trip to Denver and Milwaukee and nine consecutive games overall. Maybe some home cookin' will help the Redlegs regain some semblance of a winning attitude as they're set to entertain the Pittsburgh Pirates for four games over the next three days.

Pittsburgh was on the docket for Cincinnati during the first week of the 2022 season, but due to the MLB lockout pushing back Opening Day until April 7th, some creative scheduling had to take place. The Reds and Pirates will play a double-header on Saturday at Great American Ball Park.

While few fans expected the Reds to compete for the division title this season, I doubt anyone could have foreseen the train wreck that is Cincinnati's 2022 campaign. The Reds can't seem to hit, pitch, or even field the ball properly over the first month-plus of the season.

But at some point, the bats will show up, the team will be healthy, and the wins will come, right? Perhaps this weekend will be the starting point of a special month of May for the Reds. Let's breakdown three things to watch for in the upcoming series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds.

1. Can Reds RHP Connor Overton give David Bell a quality start?

I don't think anyone throughout Reds Country knew the name Connor Overton until he took the ball to begin Cincinnati's game last Saturday at Coors Field. Overton was signed to a minor league contract this past spring and was sent to Triple-A Louisville prior to joining the team last weekend.

Overton went 5.1 innings last week against the Rockies, allowed three hits and only one run dented the plate. The right-hander struck out three batters and walked two before leaving the mound with the lead. Unfortunately, the bullpen was unable to maintain it.

Given that the Reds will be entertaining the Buccos for four games over the next three days, Cincinnati manager David Bell needs to get a quality start (six innings of three runs or less) from Connor Overton on Friday evening. The starting pitching over the last four games has only covered 11 of 27 innings and allowed 25 runs. Ouch!

The Reds bullpen has been taxed ever since the season began, and with four more games over the next three days, you know the relief corps is going to put in some work. Cincinnati's bullpen has not been the greatest, so let's hope the former Pirates' hurler can take out some frustrations against his old team and eat some innings on Friday night.

Can the Reds veterans continue to lead the charge?

Tommy Pham has taken his revenge tour to another level. The Cincinnati Reds left fielder, after a slow start to the 2022 season, has been on a tear of late. Over the last 15 games, Pham has hit .345/.419/.655 with four home runs and six RBIs.

Joining Pham during the Reds most recent series was Mike Moustakas. Did a trip back to Milwaukee arise a sleeping giant? Please say, yes! Reds Country has been dying to see Moustakas get his swing back and post the type of numbers that we all know he's capable of.

The Reds also have to hope that Joey Votto joins the show as well. The former MVP has been mired in a slump and a recent trip to the IL isn't going to help matters at all. Votto needs to get going in the worst way if this Cincinnati team wants to avoid futility and start playing winnings baseball. David Bell has yet to reveal exactly how long Votto will be absent from the Reds lineup.

Kyle Farmer is another veteran that needs to get off the scheid. After lacing four two-baggers in a game during the Reds last homestand, Farmer's bat has gone silent. The Cincinnati shortstop is now 10-for-56 over his last 15 games.

David Bell needs his veterans to step up and lead the way for these young players. Tyler Stephenson, Nick Senzel, and Jonathan India are the future of the Cincinnati Reds franchise, but at the moment, the veterans need to show the rest of the team how to overcome adversity.

How will Reds LHP Nick Lodolo respond after his trip to the IL?

All signs point to Nick Lodolo returning to the mound on Saturday to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. The rookie has been sidelined over the past week-plus with lower back tightness. But, it appears as though David Bell has tabbed the southpaw to be Cincinnati's starting pitcher in Game 1 of the doubleheader on Saturday.

Lodolo has been the best of the three rookies the Reds have run out onto the mound this season. Hunter Greene struggled mightily in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, so much so that fans are clamoring for the right-hander to get sent back to the minors. Reiver Sanmartin's last performance was so bad that he was sent back to the minors.

Lodolo, however, weathered the storm, and is the more polished of the three first-year starters that David Bell has at his disposal. Lodolo only went four innings in his first start and surrendered five earned runs on seven hits while watching two balls leave the park.

But, in his previous two starts, the rookie looked much improved. In those two starts, Nick Lodolo covered 10.2 innings, struck out 15 batters, and walked only two. He owns a 3.38 ERA and 2.06 FIP during those two starts.

Strange as it may sound, Lodolo might be the best starting pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds rotation. That is, of course, until Luis Castillo returns on Monday. The Reds could use 5-6 solid innings from Lodolo on Saturday afternoon.

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