Today’s matchup is between the Pittsburgh Pirates (14-33) and the Cincinnati Reds (24-26). The Pirates have lost their last 7 games and the Reds have won 4 of their last 5 games. The Cincinnati Reds are up in the current series 2-0 heading in the final match between the two teams.
The Pirates are starting rookie JT Brubaker (RHP), on the mound who is 1-1 in 8 appearances on the season pitching a 5.34 ERA, 4.19 FIP, .325 wOBA, K% of 23.5%, BB% of 9.6%, 87.2 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.48 WHIP in 30.1 innings pitched.
The Reds are starting Luis Castillo (RHP), who is 4-2 in 9 starts with a 3.44 ERA, 2.88 FIP, .296 wOBA, K% of 29.5%, BB% of 8.9%, 85.2 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.03 WHIP in 60.1 innings pitched.
The Pirates are the 4th best in the Majors in Relieving Pitching (WAR) while the Reds are 7th.
On the hitting side, the Pirates have a .278 wOBA and a .285 OBP. The Reds have a .314 wOBA and a .314 OBP. The Pirates have 42 HRs this season while the Reds have 74 HRs.
The hope in this one is that the Reds can wreak havoc on a rookie who gave up 7 runs in his last game. The Cincinnati Reds should have this one in the bag against a team that has been cold, but I think the value is on the over compared to taking the huge favorites in the Reds unless you can find good odds of course.