Cincinnati Reds (60-93) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-97)
September 26, 2022 6:35 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates -141 / Cincinnati Reds +130; Over/Under: +8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Monday in MLB action from PNC Park. The Reds are fresh off a weekend series versus the Brewers. Cincinnati lost the first three game of that series, then on Sunday the Reds eked out a one-run win. As for Pittsburgh, they played the Cubs over the weekend. The Pirates lost two of the first three games, and in the finale Pittsburgh lost by five runs. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cincinnati struggled with the Brewers over the weekend, falling 5-1, 5-3 and 10-2 in the first three games. On Sunday the Reds posted six hits in a 2-1 victory. Nick Lodolo finished on 6.0 innings, one earned, four hits and a walk in the start.
Starter for the Monday game will be Cincinnati’s Chase Anderson. In his six games (five starts) this year Anderson is 2-3 with a 5.21 ERA. In 19.0 innings he has 11 earned on 10 hits and 11 walks with 18 Ks.
Over on the Pirates’ side, they lost to the Cubs 3-2 Thursday and 6-5 Friday before a 6-0 Saturday win. In the finale Pittsburgh gave up three runs in both the fifth and seventh innings in an 8-3 loss. Starter Luis Ortiz put up 4.2 innings with one earned, one hit and two walks.
Roansy Contreras will take the mound for the start on Monday. In 19 games (16 starts) Contreras is 5-5 with a 3.68 ERA. In 88.0 innings he has 36 earned with 77 hits, 37 walks and 84 Ks.
The Reds are 4-11 in their last 15 in game one of a series and 0-5 in their last five Monday games. Cincinnati is 2-5 in their last seven road games.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 17-37 in their last 54 in game one of a series and 13-38 in their last 51 Monday games.
PICK: I’m going to try the Reds here. It’ll be an interesting starter matchup regardless. Anderson has done well lately with four earned over his last three starts in 14.0 innings on five hits and five walks. As for Contreras he’s coming off a bad outing versus the Yankees but had a couple of good starts going before that. If Contreras can get it going in this one we should have a fun and tight game. Ultimately I like Cincinnati to bag the win though.
