Yesterday’s Results for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds

Sean's 10* MLB DIV. FAVORITE GAME OF THE YEAR

Analysis: N.L. Central Favorite of the Year. My selection is on Pittsburgh over Cincinnati at 6:10 pm et on Friday. The Reds took the opener of this four-game series in somewhat surprising low-scoring fashion last night. We'll back the Pirates as they look to bounce back behind their ace Paul Skenes on Friday. Skenes hasn't been at his best lately and that's putting it mildly. I do expect him to rebound with a strong outing against a struggling Reds offense here, however. Cincinnati checks in ranked 21st in the majors in xwOBA over the last week. Current Cincinnati hitters are just 18-for-86 (.209) with a .528 OPS against Skenes. Meanwhile, Hunter Greene will take the ball for the Reds. He's had a tough time settling in since returning from injury and with trade rumors swirling, perhaps that has served as a distraction as well. Greene did turn in a terrific outing at home against the Cubs two starts back but his other three starts have been shaky at best. Like the Reds, the Pirates bats have been relatively quiet lately, but they do still rank second in the majors - behind only the Dodgers - in wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. Add in the fact that the Reds inconsistent bullpen has been overworked lately and we'll confidently back the Pirates here. Take Pittsburgh (10*).