After an unsuccessful adventure in St. Louis, the Reds take the riverboat upstream to visit the Pirates for the weekend. In the series opener, Mike Leake is scheduled to make his second start of the season while the Pirates counter with their titular ace, A.J. Burnett.
Leake was perfectly cromulent in his season debut against the Nationals, giving up four runs over six innings in what would eventually be an extra-inning loss for your favorite team. Burnett started Opening Day for the Buccaroonis and took the loss. He has also lost to the Dodgers. He has failed to survive the sixth inning in both appearances. Let's make it three.
Burnett has started 12 games in his career against the Reds, posting a 4.06 ERA in 75⅓ innings. So he's pretty much exactly right on his career averages (his career ERA so far is 4.05).
Big Ol' Todd gets the day off today, so Hammerhands is starting at 3B.
Lineups
REDS | PIRATES |
Shin-Soo Choo CF | Starling Marte LF |
Chris Heisey LF | Neil Walker 2B |
Joey Votto 1B | Andrew McCutchen CF |
Brandon Phillips 2B | Garrett Jones 1B |
Jay Bruce RF | Russell Martin C |
Jack Hannahan 3B | Pedro Alvarez 3B |
Zack Cozart SS | Travis Snyder RF |
Devin Mesoraco C | Clint Barmes SS |
Mike Leake P | A.J. Burnett P |
The bullpen looks well-rested. The off-day yesterday gave everyone an extra day, and Chapman and Broxton have not pitched since Sunday. LeCure and Hoover have not pitched since Monday, so your top four bullpen arms should all be fresh as springtime daisies.
The loss of Sean Marshall sure does make this group look kinda ordinary, doesn't it? I mean, Chapman and Broxton are both legit, but right now LeCure is your third-best pitcher down there. I love LeCure and all and I think he's fantastic, but I will feel much more confident about this 'pen when Marshall is back and healthy.
Also, I wonder what's up with Nick Masset.