Pirates @ Reds – Game 1

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Pirates (52-88)

@ Cincinnati Reds (56-83)

Starting Pitchers:

Oviedo (PIT): 2-2; 3.90 ERA

Cessa (CIN) 3-2; 4.97 ERA

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Pirates: (+119)

Cincinnati Reds: (-139)

• The starting line-up for the Pirates in game 1 is as follows:

• The starting line-up for the Reds in game 1 is as follows:

• Two familiar foes will be seeing a lot of each other in the next two days as the Pittsburgh Pirates and host Cincinnati Reds play three games in 24 hours, starting with a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday.

• The Reds will send right-hander Luis Cessa (3-2, 4.97 ERA) to the mound to start Game 1. Cessa will be making his sixth start of the season and the 25th start of his seven-year career. This will be his fourth appearance of the season and first career start vs. the Pirates. He is 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA in seven all-time outings vs. Pittsburgh.

• In a 4-3 road win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, Cessa did not allow a hit until Nico Hoerner led off the fifth inning with a triple. Cessa reached a career milestone when he recorded his 300th career strikeout. Cessa struck out a career-high eight batters while walking none over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball.

• Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo (2-2, 3.90 ERA) will start the opener on Tuesday. He will be making his third start since joining the franchise in the Jose Quintana trade with the St. Louis Cardinals last month and then getting called up earlier this month.

• Oviedo, 24, took a loss in his latest outing, on Wednesday against the New York Mets, after allowing four runs on one hit with five walks and two strikeouts in only 1 2/3 innings. Oviedo did not factor in the decision in his Pirates debut on Sept. 2 vs. the Blue Jays after throwing three scoreless frames, striking out four and walking three.

• While it won’t be during the doubleheader, Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene is ready to resume his rookie season and finish the year with the major league club in the rotation. Greene, working his way back from a strained right shoulder, completed a three-start rehab assignment on Sunday with Louisville. Greene, 23, is expected to be activated from the injured list to pitch in the upcoming series against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Reds could use the help, as they will be playing a five-game series in four days beginning Thursday.

• Pirates rookie Oneil Cruz, a left-handed hitting shortstop, received the night off from the starting lineup Monday as lefty Mike Minor started for the Reds. Still, Cruz continues to show promise for the Pirates since a move to the leadoff spot in the order. He has three homers in his past seven games, all coming in the No. 1 position in the order. Overall, Cruz has 14 homers and 44 RBIs in just 67 games.