Reds vs. Pirates, Game 1 - Preview and Lineups

The Reds vs. the Pirates.

This one got heated a few times last year. Alas, there is no more Yasiel Puig, Derek Dietrich, or Clint Hurdle to get these guys all riled up. And, there’s some pretty severe penalties for fighting in this pandemic season.

The Reds will see Trevor Williams in this one. They saw him plenty in 2019, where Williams made four starts against the Reds over 25 innings pitched. He gave up only five earned runs, striking out 17. In all, 2019 was a down season for Williams, only managing to pitch 145 innings, the lowest he’s pitched in a full season. His 5.38 ERA was a bit of a step down from the 3.11 mark he posted in 2018 over 170 innings pitched (a four bWAR season).

He’s gotten off to a good start in 2020, with a 3.52 ERA over three starts and 15.1 innings, though his FIP is a full point higher than his ERA. Still, over seven innings in his last start, he yielded only one run to the thumping Twins lineup.

Anthony DeSclafani will take the hill for the Reds. He’s yet to allow a run this season. He should probably do more of that.

Reds lineup

Pirates lineup