Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can the Pirates Take Game 2 of Sunday's Doubleheader?
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds play a doubleheader after their game was postponed yesterday. Can the Pirates take Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader? Ben Rajavuori breaks down the 6:05 pm game.
Ben Rajavuori - August 13, 2023, 1:14 PM EDT
5 minPittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can the Pirates Take Game 2 of Sunday's Doubleheader?
Normally on Sunday night, there is only the Sunday Night Baseball game, but a postponement on Saturday gives us a doubleheader between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, with game two starting at 6:05 pm EST. I will never complain with more action, and while the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets game may be a better one on paper, the better value lies in the game at PNC Park.
Pirates vs. Reds Game 2 Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: August 13, 2023
- Time: 6:05 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Game 2 Prediction
The Reds took game one in a 9-2 blowout, and they now send out Brandon Williamson in game one of the doubleheader and Luke Weaver in game two. The Pirates start today with Mitch Keller and finish it off with newly-acquired Andre Jackson. With the pitching matchup, I actually favor the Reds to take game one and for the Pirates to take game two. Visitors sweep doubleheaders at less than a 28% clip historically, so we can bank on the Pirates taking at least one of these games, and despite the Pirates being shorter favorites in game two, I like them to get it done in the latter game in today's doubleheader.
Andre Jackson is a newly-acquired right-handed pitcher from the Dodgers, and he has a 5.16 ERA in nine outings in 2023. Jackson is a bullpen pitcher, so the Pirates are opting for a bullpen game in game two tonight, but I don't hate that move for them. With the Pirates getting yesterday off, they basically will have the choice of their best bullpen arms for game two, depending on who they use in game one. Mitch Keller is usually good for six or maybe even seven innings, so the Pirates should still have an open bullpen for game two behind Andre Jackson.
Jackson is an interesting case because he has good pitches and has had flashes of brilliance but also bas outings, which explains his 5.16 ERA. However, he has now pitched three-straight scoreless outings against the Phillies, Brewers, and Braves. His last two were his first two outings with the Pirates.
This is not a surprise, as we have seen many cases of Pitchers joining new teams and wanting to bring their best stuff to show out for their new team, and as I said before, Jackson has good pitches. His four-seam fastball tops out at 96 mph, and it has a ton of movement. Opponents are batting .242 off it, but it has an expected batting average of .222. His slider has also been perfect, although he doesn't throw it much. His changeup has been his worst pitch, but he has thrown it less in his two outings with the Pirates.
With Luke Weaver on the other side, I like the Pirate's chances. Weaver has struggled all season with a 6.75 ERA, and the Reds have lost his last three starts. He has also struggled with the long ball, and both Connor Joe and Jack Suwinski have a homer off him in four and two at-bats, respectively. With good hitting conditions in PNC Park tonight, I expect him to struggle against this lineup with sneakily good power.
The Pirates dropped game one, and I also expect them to drop the first game today, but I don't think they will be swept. Andre Jackson is on a good run and has been pitching the best we have ever seen against some pretty good lineups too. He has a rested bullpen behind him as well. This is a good spot to take the Pirates as short home favorites against a struggling Reds team.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Game 2 Pick
Pick: Pirates ML Game 2 -115 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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