Pirates at Reds, Game 1: Preview/Predictions Thread

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

7:10 PM ET

Gerrit Cole vs. Amir Garrett

It’s Gerrit vs. Garrett tonight. For Cole, he’ll look to continue building on each of his previous starts. Since allowing five earned to the Red Sox in his first start of the season, Cole has gotten progressively better in each of his starts. His last time out, he allowed no runs to Chicago while striking out eight batters through seven innings pitched. Through five starts, his ERA is down to 3.60.

Amir, on the other hand, will be aiming to bounce back from his previous start. In his only bad start of the season, Garrett got smacked for nine earned runs, walking four and striking out only one batter against Milwaukee. It was quite the regression for the Reds rookie, but in he held this Pittsburgh team in check back in his second career start, allowing only two earned runs while striking out five Bucs in the process. Each start is going to be an adjustment for Garrett, especially as he begins to see teams for the second time. Hopefully, he’ll be able to beat the book.

The Reds have struggled of late, but are coming off a thrilling comeback against St. Louis on Sunday. Hopefully, they can carry over the late inning hit parade from St. Louis into this four gamer with Pittsburgh.

It’s a new month, hopefully that’ll mean good things for the Redlegs.