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The Reds and Pirates have faced off 6 times in the month of May and the Pirates have scored 8 runs total, five of them in Monday's game. The three shutouts by the Reds are the most against one team in a single month for the franchise since May of 1990 when they did it to the Cardinals. The parallels to the Wire-to-Wire team are uncanny. Be sure to buy the book so that you can know what will happen next!
The last time Johnny Cueto faced the Pirates he pitched the only complete game of his career, a one-hit shutout where he walked none and struck out eight in 102 pitches. Cueto has had four straight quality starts, dropping his ERA from 5.73 down to a svelte 3.60. He has allowed just 24 base runners in those four starts while striking out 28 hitters in 28 innings. May has been good to him. I'd love to see him close it out with another gem.
Joey Votto is out of the lineup again tonight with a stiff neck. It sounds like he is feeling better and could even pinch hit, but it probably won't matter since he is being Pipped by Miguel "The Hammer" Cairo. Please don't hurt 'em, Hammer!
There is some rain in the area right now, but the radar makes me believe that the game won't be washed out, though it may be delayed.
Win tonight puts the Reds just one win shy of my arbitrary 29-20 goal. Go Reds! They're my favorite team!