The nature of the current MLB playoff beast is set to play out this weekend in Cincinnati as the Reds play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Between the vast parity underneath the top 3 or 4 teams in the sport and Rob Manfred’s Superexpanded Megaplayoff format, the above-.500 Pirates roll into town likely buyers ahead of next week’s trade deadline and sit just 2.0 games back of a Wild Card spot in the standings.
They come to Cincinnati 55-54 for a 4-game series. By series end, they could sit a game worse
in the loss column than the Reds themselves, who could, in theory, surge to 54-57 by the end of Sunday opposite a 55-58 Pirates club.
That would obviously require a sweep at home by the Reds, but that’s how close the margins are right now. The Reds, as things stand today, look to be clear sellers, but they could just as easily flip those standings on their respective heads with a monster performance at home against their rowdy NL Central rivals.
To get to that dream scenario, the Reds are going to need a lot more from Rhett Lowder than they’ve gotten of late. Last week’s outing against the St. Louis Cardinals (2.0 ER in 5.0 IP) was certainly a step in the right direction after he was shelled in his previous start on the road in Denver, and something of that ilk would likely suffice tonight provided that the meager Cincinnati offense can get off the mat and, y’know, actually do something more than they did in their last series against Cleveland.
Matt McLain is back. Edwin Arroyo is out. The Reds are up against an opener in a bullpen game – a righty at that – so they’re rolling out what can only be described as their best* lineup to get things started.
First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up to start:
