Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Cincinnati Reds Lineups, Odds, And Weather
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Pirates (12-15) will try to avoid the sweep this evening as they host the Cincinnati Reds (14-13) in the finale of their three-game series at PNC Park.
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The Bucs were shut out Wednesday 3-0 by the Reds, but came close to getting a run off Cincinnati starter Mike Leake in the seventh.
With two runners aboard and two outs, Gregory Polanco hit a ground ball toward first base and proceeded to run down the line. Leake fielded the ball and went for the force out at first, but his toss hit Polanco in the back.
An infield single by Polanco would have brought home Francisco Cervelli from second for the Pirates’ first run. The scoreboard should have read 3-1. However, home-plate umpire Chris Conroy called interference on Polanco which ended the inning.
Bucs skipper Clint Hurdle did have a discussion with Conroy, but the call stood. Pittsburgh has been shut out five times in 27 games this season. The Jolly Roger crew went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in last night’s contest, and left eight men on base.
When: Thursday, May 7
First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
Site: PNC Park
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Television Coverage: ROOT Sports Network
Radio Coverage: KDKA-FM 93.7 – The Fan
Announcers: Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Bob Walk, Steve Blass and John Wehner
Live (Pay) Streaming: MLB.TV
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 185, XM Internet 861
Pittsburgh Pirates
Odds: Pirates -1.5 According To Bovada Online Sportsbook with the Over/Under at 7.5.
Weather Forecast: According to the Weather Channel, the forecast is calling for a few clouds and a chance of a shower or thunderstorm throughout the night. The low this evening is to be 60. Chance of rain is 20%.
Starting Pitchers: The Reds will send 25-year-old Anthony DeSclafani (2-2) to the hill. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander leads National League rookie pitchers in strikeouts and wins. His last start against the Pirates was Thursday, April 9 and it was a no-decision in Cincy’s 3-2 victory.
Pittsburgh will go with 38-year-old A.J. Burnett (0-1). The 6-foot-4, 230-pound righthander has allowed one run or fewer in each of his last four starts. He currently leads the NL with a 1.45 ERA.
Your Starting Lineups:
Pirates
1) – Gregory Polanco, RF
2) – Neil Walker, 2B
3) – Andrew McCutchen, CF
4) – Starling Marte, LF
5) – Pedro Alvarez, 1B
6) – Josh Harrison 3B
7) – Jordy Mercer, SS
8) – Chris Stewart, C
9) – A.J. Burnett, RHP
Reds:
1) – Billy Hamilton, CF
2) – Marlon Byrd, LF
3) – Joey Votto, 1B
4) – Todd Frazier, 3B
5) – Brandon Phillips, 2B
6) – Jay Bruce, RF
7) – Kristopher Negron, SS
8) – Brayan Pena, C
9) – Anthony DeSclafani, RHP
Up Next: Pittsburgh welcomes the St. Louis Cardinals (20-7) for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday at PNC Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The leaders of the NL Central Division will go with righthander Michael Wacha (4-0), while the Bucs will counter with lefty Francisco Liriano (1-1). The game will be on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
From The Clipboard: Pittsburgh is 11-2 when scoring at least four runs and 1-13 when putting up less than four runs…Polanco is 22 of 27 in base stealing attempts in his career…Lefthander Tony Watson has been scored upon only once in his last 22 contests at PNC Park, dating back to Aug. 6 of last season.
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