MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds (61-57) at Pittsburgh Pirates (52-64) Double-Header

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

TODAY’S TWINBILL & TRANSACTIONS

• The Reds today will add to the roster as the 27th player for Game 2 of the doubleheader RHP Daniel Duarte (#77)…sent to Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment RHP Ben Lively (right pectoral muscle strain).
• Today’s is the Reds’ first doubleheader of the season.
• The Reds were swept in each of their last 2 doubleheaders, on 9/13/22 vs Pit (6-1, 1-0 losses) and 9/17/22 at StL (5-1 loss, 1-0 loss in 11 innings).
• Last night’s postponement was the Reds’ third of the season (4/5 vs Chc & scheduled for a day/night doubleheader on 9/1, 4/6 at Phi & played 4/7).
• In 2022, the Reds and Pirates played 3 doubleheaders vs each other in a single season for the first time since 1965.
• The Reds last swept a 9-inning doubleheader on 7/6/2014 vs Cubs (4-2, 6-5 wins), last swept a 9-inning doubleheader on the road on 6/5/1999 at KC (7-4, 9-4 wins), last swept the Pirates in a doubleheader on 9/14/20 at Great American Ball Park (7 innings)…last swept the Pirates in a 9-inning doubleheader on 8/31/09 at GABP.

TODAY’S GAMES

• Are Games 2 & 3 (1-0) of a brief 3-game road trip, all at Pit’s beautiful PNC Park, and Games 8 & 9 (2-5) of a stretch in which the Reds will play 11 of 14 games at Great American Ball Park (0-3 vs Wsh, 1-2 vs Mia, 1-0 at Pit, 2g vs Cle, 3g vs Tor).
• The Reds are coming off a 1-5 homestand (0-3 vs Wsh, 1-2 vs Mia).

SERIES NOTES

• The Reds are 3-5 vs Pit this season, including 2-1 at Great American Ball Park and 0-4 at PNC Park.
• The Reds are 15-33 at Pit’s PNC Park the last 6 seasons, including an 11-game losing streak spanning 2018-2019 and an 8-game losing streak there to begin the 2019 season…are 1-4 there this year.
• From 4/20-4/23 the Reds were swept in a 4-game series at PNC Park for the first time since April 2019.
• The 2-0 loss on 4/23 at Pit was the Reds’ 100th loss at PNC Park.

BIG ROAD MACHINE

• Beginning 5/26, the Reds are 25-11 over their last 6 road trips covering 12 road series.
• The Reds lost 3 of their last 4 road series (1-2 at Mil, 1-2 at Mil, 2-1 at LAD, 1-3 at Chc) but have won 8 of their last 11 road series, including a streak of 7 straight road series wins snapped by the Brewers in the last series before the All-Star Game break…also lost at Mil in the first road series of the second half.
• From 5/26-7/6, the Reds won at least 7 straight road series for only the third time in their history (3-0 at Cubs, 2-1 at Bos, 2-1 at StL, 3-0 at KC, 3-0 at Hou, 2-1 at Bal, 4-0 at Wsh)…won 8 straight road series in 1923 (7/2-8/25) and 1976 (6/25-8/12)…courtesy @EliasSports.
• Went 8-1 on their road trip to StL (2-1), KC (3-0) and Hou (3-0)…for only the second time ever, won 8 games on a road trip of 9 games or fewer (8-0, 9/21-9/27, 1964)…was their first road trip of any length with at least 8 wins since 5/28-6/9, 1999 (9-3)…courtesy @EliasSports.
• The 10-3 loss on 6/26 at Bal snapped the Reds’ 8-game road winning streak, tied for the second-longest streak in the Major Leagues this season.
• The Reds’ 27 road wins (27-20) was their highest total prior to the All-Star Game break since 1999 (29-13).

RUNNING MEN

• The Reds lead the Major Leagues with 130 stolen bases (TB 2nd, 129sb), their highest total since 2016 (139sb)…in 2022, the Reds recorded 58 steals…are trying to lead the National League in stolen bases for the first time since 2015 (134sb).
• The Reds recorded 50 stolen bases in June, their highest steals total in a calendar month since September 1912 (53sb).
• 5 times this season recorded at least 5 stolen bases in a game (6sb on 6/2 vs Mil, 9sb on 6/3 vs Mil, 5sb on 6/25 at Bal, 6sb on Tue at Wsh, 5sb on 7/8 at Mil)…prior to 6/2, the Reds hadn’t recorded 5 stolen bases in a game since 4/10/17 at Pit.
• Their 9 stolen bases on 6/3 vs Mil (Jake Fraley 3, Spencer Steer 2, Jonathan India 2, Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild) was their highest single-game total since 5/30/1976 vs LAD (9sb)…the Reds’ single-game record since 1900 for stolen bases in a game remains 10 (5/29/1913 at StL).
• With Elvis Peguero pitching, Elly De La Cruz on 7/8 at Mil became only the fourth Reds batter ever to steal second, third and home in the same inning (Hans Lobert 9/27/1908, Dode Paskert 5/23/1910, Greasy Neale 8/15/1919)…became the first Major League batter to steal second, third and home in the same inning since Mia’s Jon Berti did it on 8/25/2020 at NYM…became the first Reds batter with a straight steal of home since Brandon Phillips did it on 7/10/2009 at NYM.

RED HOTS

• 13 Reds players have made Major League debuts this season, the most in the Major Leagues (RHP Casey Legumina, RHP Levi Stoudt, IF Matt McLain, LHP Brandon Williamson, RHP Eduardo Salazar, OF TJ Hopkins, LHP Andrew Abbott, IF Elly De La Cruz, RHP Ricky Karcher, RHP Randy Wynne, RHP Jake Wong, IF Christian EncarnacionStrand, RHP Lyon Richardson)…17 rookies played in at least 1 game for the Reds.

GAME 1 STARTER – #55 Brandon Williamson, LHP

• Today is making his 16th career appearance and start, his first vs the Pirates.
• In his last 7 starts beginning 7/1 went 3-1, 3.19 (36.2ip, 26h, 13er, 12bb, 35k, 5hr, .203baa).
• Twice picked runners off second base, KC’s Bobby Witt Jr. (PO/CS 145) and SD’s Fernando Tatis Jr. (PO/CS 165).
• Once was called for a pitch timer violation, on 5/22 vs StL (Paul Goldschmidt batting).
• Once was called for a disengagement violation, on 8/7 vs Mia (Jorge Soler batting, Jon Berti to second on the balk).
• On 6/26 at Bal walked his second batter, Adley Rutschman, to snap at 10.0 his consecutive innings streak without issuing a walk.
• On 5/16 at Col, became only the 10th visiting pitcher to make his Major League debut with a start at Coors Field, the first since Hou’s José Urquidy on 7/2/19.
• Became only the fourth Reds pitcher to make his Major League debut with at least 5.2 innings, 2 hits or fewer allowed and at least 6 strikeouts, joining Tom Carroll (7/7/1974 vs StL, 7ip, 2h, 6k), Mo Sanford (8/9/1991 at SD, 7ip, 2h, 8k) and Johnny Cueto (4/3/2008 vs Ari, 7ip, 1h, 10k).
• Became only the fourth Reds pitcher in the expansion era (since 1961) to retire at least 14 consecutive batters in his Major League debut, joining Wayne Simpson (16, 4/9/1970 at LAD), Rob Bell (16, 4/8/2000 vs Cubs) and Johnny Cueto (15, 4/3/2008 vs Ari).
• In that 3-1 win on 5/16 at Col, allowed a single to Charlie Blackmon, his first career batter faced, but didn’t allow another hit until Ezequiel Tovar’s solo HR in the sixth inning snapped the scoreless tie…Williamson retired 14 consecutive batters leading up to Tovar’s home run.
• 2 of his starts were shortened by rain, a third appearance was suspended & completed the next day, and a fourth was postponed (last night).
• In the top of the third inning on 6/26 at Bal did not return after a 1 hour, 44-minute rain delay.
• On 7/6 at Wsh, remained in the game following a 1-hour, 43-minute rain delay in the top of the second inning.
• On 7/17 vs SF, the game was suspended with the score tied at 2-2 with 1 out in the eighth inning (completed the next day, 4-2 loss in 10 innings)

GAME 2 STARTER – #34 Luke Weaver, RHP

• Tonight will make his 11th career appearance and eighth start vs the Pirates, his second this season.
• Allowed 28 runs in the first inning (38-97, .392) and 44 runs after the first inning (81-295, .275).
• Has been charged with 2 pitch timer violations, on 5/31 at Bos (Masataka Yoshida) and 6/18 at Hou (Cory Julks).
• On 3/8, left his third spring training appearance with right forearm tightness…didn’t pitch in another Cactus League “A” game for the Reds.
• On Opening Day went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain, snapping his 5-season streak on an active Opening Day roster (Cardinals 2018, Diamondbacks 2019-2022).
• On 4/9 and 4/14 made 2 rehabilitation apps with Louisville (0-0, 3.00, 9ip, 3h, 3er, 4bb, 9k, 1hr, 0.78whip, .107baa).
• In the 4-3 loss on 4/20 at Pit, came off the 15-day injured list to make his 2023 season and Reds debuts.
• Left his start on 7/18 vs SF after he was hit by a Michael Conforto line drive off the back of his left elbow…x-rays were negative…did not miss his next start, 5 days later vs SF.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES:….were rained out last night for just the second time this season (also 4/28 at Washington)…Lost 9-2 on Friday in the opener of this three-game series against the Reds…Have gone 11-10 in their last 21 games since losing each of their first five games following the All-Star break…Have gone 2-0-3 in their last five series.

LET’S PLAY TWO: The Bucs and Reds will play each other in a doubleheader here at PNC Park for the first time since September 4, 2020 (the Reds were the home team in game two of that doubleheader)…Prior to today Pittsburgh’s only doubleheader this season came on April 29 when the Pirates swept the Nationals on the road…Pittsburgh split its September 4, 2020 doubleheader against the Reds…Pittsburgh’s last doubleheader sweep at home vs. the Reds came on August 28, 2007, while the last time the Bucs were swept at home in a doubleheader against Cincinnati occurred on July 12, 1974…Pittsburgh’s last doubleheader at PNC Park was against the Mets last year on September 7…The Bucs played a total of six doubleheaders in 2022.

IN THE MEND: Right-handed pitcher Max Kranick will begin a rehab assignment today with Low-A Bradenton…Kranick is currently on the 60-day injured list recovering from “Tommy John” surgery that was performed on June 3, 2022.

HONORING THE PAST: Prior to game two of tonight’s doubleheader the Pirates will wear Homestead Grays uniforms as a tribute to the Negro Leagues…The Grays won nine Negro National League titles and played in five of the seven World Series back in their day…Xernona Clayton will throw out the first pitch as part of tonight’s pre-game festivities…Clayton has received numerous awards for her activism including the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

ABOUT TODAY’S STARTER: Mitch Keller struck out eight batters on Opening Day against the Reds and enters today sixth in the National League with 154 punchouts (JT Brubaker led the team with 147 strikeouts in 2022)…Keller was in line for the win in his last start Tuesday night against the Braves but came away with a no-decision.

ABOUT TONIGHT’S STARTER: Andre Jackson will make the first start of his big league career tonight…Jackson will become the 12th different pitcher to start a game for the Pirates this season…The Royals have each used a Major-League high 17 starters this season, while the Nationals and Blue Jays have used a Major-League low seven apiece.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR HAYES: Ke’Bryan Hayes has knocked in 10 runs over his last four games, giving the Pirates two different players this season to record 10 RBI over a four-game stretch (Bryan Reynolds also did it in April)…Prior to this season, the last time the Pirates had two different players record 10 RBI over a four-game span was 2012 (Garrett Jones and Pedro Alvarez).

ANGEL OF PITTSBURGH: Angel Perdomo recorded two more strikeouts in his appearance Friday night, giving him a total of 41 in 27.0 innings of work since making his season debut on June 3…Since June 3, Perdomo’s 41 punchouts are tied for the seventh-most among all relievers in MLB…The only six relievers with more strikeouts during that time are Felix Bautista (51), Sean Manaea (47), Nick Pivetta (47), Devin Williams (47), Aroldis Chapman (46) and Fernando Cruz (46).

CLOSING IN ON THE COBRA: Andrew McCutchen’s run-scoring single in the sixth inning last night was this 756th RBI as a member of the Pirates…McCutchen is now two RBI shy of tying Dave Parker for ninth on the team’s all-time RBI list…Ninety nine of McCutchen’s 1033 career RBI have also come against the Reds, which are the second-most among active players (Anthony Rizzo is the only player with more with 103).

ANDREW ON THE BASES: Andrew McCutchen enters today with a 15-game on-base streak… That’s tied for the third-longest active on-base streak among all National League players along with teammate Bryan Reynolds (Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies has the longest active streak at 23 games)…McCutchen has the team’s longest on-base streak of 2023, reaching base safely in 20 straight from June 5 to July 1.

REYNOLDS ROLLING: Bryan Reynolds brings a season-best 15-game on-base streak into today…Reynolds is hitting .373 (22-for-59) with two doubles, five home runs, eight RBI, .431 OBP, .661 slugging percentage and 1.092 OPS during his current streak.

GAME 1 STARTING PITCHER – 23 – RHP MITCH KELLER
MITCH KELLER: The 27-year-old righthander will make his 25th start of the season today…He was in line for the win (5.0ip/3er) in his last start Tuesday in an 8-6 last at-bat loss.

vs. CINCINNATI: 2-4 with a 6.49 ERA in 13 career starts (59.2ip/43er)…Is 1-0 in two starts this year…Allowed four runs in 4.2 innings on Opening Day in a 5-4 Pirates win…He also allowed two runs in 6.0 innings and won a 4-2 decision on 4/21 at PNC Park…Went 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA (14.0ip/11er) in three starts in 2022…Made his MLB debut at Great American Ball Park on 5/27/19 in game two of a doubleheader, where he lost an 8-1 decision (4.0ip/6r) to Sonny Gray.

GAME 2 STARTING PITCHER – 41 – RHP ANDRE JACKSON
ANDRE JACKSON: The 27-year-old righthander will make his third appearance (first start) with the Pirates after being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on 8/4…He was acquired by the Pirates from the Los Angeles Dodgers on 6/25 for cash considerations.

VS. CINCINNATI: Has never faced the Reds.