Pirates Preview: Buccos Look to Tie Series With Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates (52-64) fell to the rebuilt Reds 9-2 on Friday. Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott allowed two runs across 5.2 innings while infield unicorn Elly De La Cruz tripled and knocked in three runs.

The Reds (61-57) knocked around Pirates’ starter Johan Oviedo to the tune of six earned runs in five innings while Pittsburgh’s offense couldn’t get anything going.

Saturday night’s matchup will begin at 7:05pm with the broadcast taking place on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

With a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms from 7pm to 10pm, tonight’s game could see a delay. The temperature is expected to sit around 78 degrees at first pitch, dropping to 72 degrees by 10 pm, with a southwesterly wind blowing to the outfield at 10 mph.

The Pirates Will Send Out RHP Andre Jackson (0–0, 5.16 ERA)

While Jackson gave up 13 earned runs in 16.2 innings with the Dodgers, he has yet to surrender a run in five innings with Pittsburgh. This will be his first game as the starter for the Pirates, and he hasn’t faced the Reds in his career.

The Reds Will Send Out LHP Brandon Williamson (4-2, 4.54 ERA)

Williamson made his big league debut in May, so he hasn’t faced the Pirates yet. He’s a streaky starter, prone to blowups, but he’s also shown flashes of greatness during his three months in the big leagues.

He gave up one run in 6.2 innings against the Marlins in his last appearance, but the Cubs shelled him for five runs in 4.1 innings the start before that.

Reds Hitters vs Jackson

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs Williamson

• N/A

Tidbits

• The Pirates haven’t dropped a series since losing two of three to the Los Angeles Angels from July 21-23. They need to win their next two games with Cincinnati to keep that streak alive.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has three home runs in his past four games, more than one-third of his season total (eight).
• After collecting two more hits in four at-bats in Friday’s loss, Bryan Reynolds is hitting .333 (27 for 81) over his last 20 games played.

Links

Perrotto: Perhaps Pirates Can Take a Lesson From Reds

Johan Oviedo Details Down Night For the Pirates

From Randolph-Macon to Major League Baseball, Colin Selby Beat the Odds

Potanko: Anthony Solometo is Wise Beyond His Years

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