Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds: Both NL Central rivals are out of the playoff race

The Pittsburgh Pirates are visiting the Cincinnati Reds today at Great American Ball Park.

The Pirates could have done much more

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at the bottom of the NL Central with a 72-82 record including 34-42 on the road. They have lost 4 of the last 5 games including the series opener in Cincinnati last night. The Pirates have a 4.16 ERA, a .248 batting average, a .320 on-base percentage, and 1.31 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with 166 hits, 70 runs, and 22 home runs.

The Reds have split the last ten games

The Cincinnati Reds are fourth in the NL Central with a 75-80 record, including 38-41 at home. After allowing 22 runs in the previous two games against the Braves, they bounced back with a win last night. The Reds have a 4.16 ERA, a .238 batting average, a .311 on-base percentage, and 1.25 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Elly De La Cruz is the best player on the team, leading with 152 hits, 100 runs, and 24 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Reds are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games overall and 4-8 SU in their last 12 games against teams from the NL Central. Cincinnati has played over the total run line in 6 of their last 7 games overall and 5 of their last 7 home games against Pittsburgh while has stayed under in 7 of their last 10 games against teams from the NL. The Pirates are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games overall, 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against the Reds, 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road and 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against teams from the NL Central. Pittsburgh has played under the total run line in 5 of their last 7 games overall and 4 of their last 6 games against teams from the NL.

Prediction and Conclusion

Both NL Central rivals have a disappointing season and are already eliminated from the playoff race. Last night, the Reds won 8-3, which was their fourth win in the last ten games against the Pirates. They will try to add another one with rookie Rhett Lowder on the mound, who is 1-2 for the season with a 1.74 ERA, 17 K, 20.2 IP, and 1.26 WHIP. Pittsburgh will start their rookie pitcher, Jared Jones, who is 6-7 for the season with a 3.85 ERA, 120 K, 112.1 IP, and 1.15 WHIP. This game will bring no pressure at all, and we will see a high-scoring one that will go over 8.5 total runs.