MLB Game Preview - Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:10 PM EDT

CHC
1
PHI
7
F
NYM
4
WSH
2
F
SEA
2
NYY
1
F(11)
MIN
6
TOR
1
F
PIT
5
CIN
9
F
BAL
16
BOS
3
F
SD
6
MIA
8
F
KC
0
CLE
4
F
COL
2
ATL
5
F
DET
2
CHW
3
F
TB
7
STL
3
F
SF
3
ARI
4
F
TEX
1
OAK
3
F
HOU
2
LAA
1
F
MIL
1
LAD
3
F
Pirates begin defining stretch with series vs. Reds
Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:33 AM

CINCINNATI -- If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to climb back into the National League Central race, the time is now.

Beginning with the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Friday, the Pirates will play 28 consecutive games against Central opponents through Sept. 24.

In that span, the Pirates will play the Reds nine times, the Chicago Cubs seven times, the St. Louis Cardinals six times and the Milwaukee Brewers six.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pirates 5-2 on Thursday, the day after Pittsburgh's historic 1-0 win on Josh Harrison's walk-off homer in the 10th inning that ended Rich Hill's no-hit bid.

Pittsburgh (61-67) has lost nine of 12, and the Pirates sit eight games behind the first-place Cubs.

"This is the big leagues," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "You've to get things done, find a way to make things happen, to beat other teams. We came up short in the (Dodgers) series. We're in the hunt every game, but coming close doesn't work up here."

Next up for the Bucs, a six-game road trip that also includes three versus the Cubs.

Cincinnati is 8-2 against the Pirates this season. Reds pitchers held Pittsburgh hitless in 24 at-bats with runners in scoring position during a three-game sweep at PNC Park in April.

The Reds' record might not show it, but manager Bryan Price said he believes his rebuilding ballclub is on the right track.

"We show up every day and play," Price said. "People will look at us 20 games below .500 and think I'm a nutcase talking about how good the team is."

Pittsburgh is hoping to get catcher Francisco Cervelli (left wrist inflammation) back from the disabled list this weekend. He was eligible to come off the DL on Thursday. The club is expected to meet Friday to discuss Cervelli's status.

The Reds (54-74), who avoided the sweep with a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Cubs on Thursday, will be down a catcher Friday with Stuart Turner's wife scheduled to have labor induced.

With Turner on the three-day paternity list and Devin Mesoraco on the disabled list, the Reds have one healthy catcher, Tucker Barnhart. Problem is, Barnhart's wife is also due to give birth soon.

"We'll have to add a catcher," Price said. "We hope that while Stuart's away, the Barnharts don't have their baby."

Turner's replacement will be announced Friday.

Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova (11-10, 3.81 ERA) gets the ball Friday. He has pitched at least six innings in 21 of 25 starts and issued two walks or fewer in 24 outings.

In seven career starts against Cincinnati, Nova is 3-4 with a 4.20 ERA. However, he is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts against the Reds this season, including a 9-3 loss on April 12 at PNC Park when he allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings.

Cincinnati has four rookies in its rotation, and one of them will take the mound Friday.

Robert Stephenson (1-4, 6.13 ERA) makes his 19th appearance and fifth start of the season. He has allowed five runs in 10 1/3 innings over three games (one start) versus Pittsburgh this year.

Stephenson is coming off his first win of the year. He allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits in five innings Saturday in an 11-8 victory at Atlanta.

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Pittsburgh            
Cincinnati            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Ivan Nova - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Cincinnati
Robert Stephenson - LAA
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Pittsburgh

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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