Reds at Bucs, Game 3: Preview/Predictions

The Reds go for a sweep this afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon after shutting out the Bucs for the second straight night on Saturday. In doing so, the Reds will put undefeated Mat Latos on the hill against Jeanmar Gomez. In the battle of who has the sillier first name, Mat will look to get his sixth win of the year and his fifth against Central Division opponents. Jeanmar, on the other hand, will be making the sixth start of the season, coming off a no-decision against the potent offense of the Detroit Tigers where he did not allow a run.

The Bucs offense now, is for lack of a better term, fairly impotent. The Reds, meanwhile, will try to put up enough runs on the board where they won't necessarily have to rely on another gem by their staring pitching staff. After being taken out of Saturday's game with a contusion, the Reds may have to accomplish this task without Brandon Phillips. That's okay though, because they have Joey Votto! Go Reds, they're my favorite team!