Reds @ Pirates

Who will WIN this matchup?

Cincinnati Reds (1-5)

@ Pittsburgh Pirates (2-3)

Starting Pitchers:

Gray (CIN): 0-1; 6.75 ERA

Musgrove (PIT) 0-0; 0.00 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Cincinnati Reds: 1-5

Pittsburgh Pirates: 2-3

Current odds:

Cincinnati Reds: (+120)

Pittsburgh Pirates: (-130)

• The Cincinnati Reds have fallen on hard times offensively since a solid showing on Opening Day, so facing a rotation that has opened the season as sharp as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ did not figure to go well for the former. After getting blanked for the third time already this season, the Reds attempt to end their five-game losing streak Friday, when they visit the Pirates for the second contest of their four-game series. Cincinnati has scored a total of six runs since opening the season with a 5-3 win against Pittsburgh and is the only team averaging less than two per game while also sporting a league-low team batting average of .164.

• Conversely, the Pirates’ starters have been on point despite Jameson Taillon’s relative dud on Opening Day, leading all National League rotations with a 1.55 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Jordan Lyles was the latest Pittsburgh starter to take advantage of the Reds’ offensive woes in Thursday’s 2-0 victory, yielding three hits and three walks across five frames in his team debut. The heart of Cincinnati’s order (No. 2 through No. 5 hitters Joey Votto, Yasiel Puig, Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler) accounted for one hit in 13 at-bats in the opener and is batting a combined 12-for-81 with one home run through six contests.

• Gray’s team debut was a forgettable one as he failed to record a strikeout while allowing three runs – two earned – on five hits and four walks over 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh. The Vanderbilt product threw more balls (37) than strikes (34) after a dominant showing during spring training in which he posted a 0.90 ERA while limiting opponents to a .143 batting average. Corey Dickerson (5-for-9) has homered twice against Gray, who is 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Pirates.

• Musgrove worked two scoreless innings in relief versus the Reds on Sunday after his scheduled start on the previous day was rained out. The 26-year-old recorded his last victory against Cincinnati at home on Sept. 4, when he yielded two runs while striking out eight across 6 1/3 frames. Puig (1-for-2) and Suarez (2-for-6) each have homered while Votto (2-for-6) and Schebler (2-for-5) also have fared well in limited action against Musgrove, who went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in his first two career starts versus the Reds last year.

• Schebler doubled in his second at-bat on Thursday, ending his 0-for-18 slump to begin the season.

• Pittsburgh’s starting pitchers have enjoyed their early success despite fanning only 25 batters in 29 innings – tied for the fourth-fewest strikeouts for a rotation.

• Only two Reds (C Tucker Barnhart and SS Jose Iglesias) who have played in all six of the team’s games are batting better than .263.