Pirates at Reds, Game 4; Preview/Predictions Thread

Reds vs Pirates

12:35 PM EDT

Tim Adleman vs. Ivan Nova

The Reds broke out the dinger bats last night, whacking three of them in total off of PIrate pitching. Which is good, because today they’ll face the reigning National League Pitcher of the Month.

It’s pretty amazing what the Pirates pitching coaches are able to do with pitchers. Last season, the Pirates traded two players to be named later for the then 29 year old righty. Nova had basically washed out with the Yankees, but the Pirates obviously saw something they could work with. Nova immediately became a very valuable piece for the Pirates, finishing the season with a 3.06 ERA through 11 starts with the Bucs.

So far this season, he’s been even better. He’s already pitched two complete games in five tries for Pittsburgh, one of them being a shutout. His ERA is a minuscule 1.50; his WHIP an even tinier 0.750.

I guess what I’m saying is... he’s due for a bit of regression.

Tim Adleman got lit up for 5 earned in 5.1 innings his last time out in St. Louis, but had previously been very serviceable. The Reds will be counting on him to hopefully go a bit deeper into this game.

Prior to today’s contest, the Reds optioned Cody Reed to AAA Louisville and selected Austin Brice to call up, so they’ll have a fresh arm if needed out of the bullpen. Brice has a 3.60 ERA through 10 innings in Louisville.

The forecast looks pretty crappy, so hopefully they’ll be able to get this one in.