Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds 9/28/2014 Free MLB Picks & Predictions
by Guy Bruhn - 9/27/2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati
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Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates will take the field behind Gerrit Cole (11 - 5, 3.78 ERA) as they square off against the Cincinnati Reds and Johnny Cueto (19 - 9, 2.29 ERA). Cole makes his 22nd start as Cueto makes his 34th.
Gerrit Cole hurled his 4th straight victory in his last start. Through 7 innings of work, Cole allowed 2 runs and 4 hits as he walked 2 and struck out 8. His performance didn't seem to be hampered by a cut on the back of his right (pitching) thumb. Cole has been impressive in recent outings and it appears that he has moved past the back issues that put him on the disabled list twice this season. In his last 10 starts, Cole is 6 - 2. Last season, he went 10 - 7 with a 3.22 ERA in 19 starts during his rookie campaign.
Cole didn't face the Reds in his rookie season and he has faced them only once this season. He took the loss back in April after allowing 5 runs and 9 hits (including 2 home runs) in 6 innings.
Johnny Cueto was dominant in his last outing as he picked up another victory. In 8 innings of work, Cueto surrendered just a run (on a solo homer) and 4 hits as he walked a batter and struck out 7, Cueto has been spectacular for the Reds this season and is an impressive 7 - 3 in his last 10 starts. Last season, Cueto only started 11 games but he finished with a 5 -2 record and a 2.82 ERA.
In 2013, Cueto was 1 - 0 with a 0.73 ERA in 2 starts against the Pirates. This season, Cueto is 3 - 0 in 4 starts against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
Pittsburgh Pirates are 73-78-8 against the Over/Under
Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.4
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
Cincinnati Reds are 70-83-6 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Cincinnati Reds is -0.1
Injuries to Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates
09/27/14 C Russell Martin Hamstring is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Cincinnati Reds
09/27/14 1B Ike Davis Illness "?" Saturday vs. Cincinnati Reds
09/24/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 60-day DL (9/24), out for season
09/10/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot out indefinitely
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)
Cincinnati Reds
09/27/14 P Aroldis Chapman Shoulder out for season
09/27/14 C Devin Mesoraco Ribs out for season
09/24/14 CF Billy Hamilton Concussion out for season
09/22/14 P Mat Latos Elbow out for season
09/10/14 P Dylan Axelrod Oblique out indefinitely
08/18/14 P Homer Bailey Elbow 15-day DL (8/8), out for season
08/17/14 1B Joey Votto Quad 60-day DL (7/1); out for season
08/07/14 P Logan Ondrusek Shoulder 15-day DL (7/13)
06/21/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 60-day DL (4/08)
06/14/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 60-day DL (6/13)
Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh
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