Reds at Pirates, Game 3 - Preview and Lineups

The Cincinnati Reds had an off-day Thursday before barreling into Pittsburgh for a four-game weekend series against the team with the worst record in the entire National League. Today, Saturday, they need a win to even have a chance of leaving town with a series victory.

Yesterday saw a split in the doubleheader, one that featured some of the same kinds of frustration that we’ve felt all season with this club. They looked rock-solid in a thorough win in Game 1, only to play well and lose in Game 2 thanks to stubbing their own toe in a big, big way.

Still, they’re just 2 games out of a playoff spot with some 21 games left on the schedule, with a chance to thump the Pirates and get some good juju rolling.

To do so, they’ll need Anthony DeSclafani to be the guy who began the season, not the one they’ve seen the last trio of times on the mound. After firing 11 scoreless innings across 2 starts to begin the 2020 season, he’s been jammed for 18 ER in just 10 IP in his last 3 outings, ones sandwiched around a trip to the paternity list after he and his wife welcomed their first child into the world in the midst of this pandemic. He seems healthy enough, and so hopefully he’s been able to tweak things enough in the last handful of days to log 6 strong innings today.

The Pirates, meanwhile, will counter with Trevor Williams, who has struggled to a 5.50 ERA and 5.32 FIP in his 7 starts this year.

First pitch is set for 7:05 PM ET.

Go Reds.

Reds Lineup

Pirates Lineup