Reds Aim for Series Sweep Against Struggling Pirates at Home

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Cincinnati Reds are poised to complete a series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday at Great American Ball Park, with ace Hunter Greene taking the mound. The Reds are riding a wave of momentum, having won four of their last five games, including a 5-2 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

Greene, who boasts a 1-1 record and a sharp 1.31 ERA this season, nearly pitched a complete game shutout in his last start against the San Francisco Giants on April 7, allowing only four hits and striking out seven over 8 2/3 innings. His impressive form has positioned him as one of the league leaders in several statistical categories, including bWAR (2nd), WHIP (3rd), and innings pitched (4th).

“If I would have managed with my emotions, I would have left Hunter in,” Reds manager Terry Francona said, reflecting on Greene’s near-complete game. “He deserved to finish that game. But there were two outs, and we needed that game.”

Entering Sunday’s matchup, Greene holds a streak of 11 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings since allowing a run on April 2 against the Texas Rangers. He has historically struggled against the Pirates, sporting an 0-4 record and a 3.00 ERA in seven career starts against them, with the Reds yet to win when he’s on the mound.

The Pirates, on the other hand, are facing offensive challenges, recording six or fewer hits in their last four games and boasting the lowest batting average (.190) and slugging percentage (.297) in Major League Baseball. “I think offensively we gotta continue to build,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “I think right now we’re not really doing that.”

They will send right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 5.19 ERA) to the mound in hopes of staving off the sweep. Mlodzinski secured a win against the St. Louis Cardinals in his last outing, allowed just one run while striking out six over five innings.

The Reds’ victory would bring their overall record to 8-8, returning them to a .500 standing for the first time since March 31, and providing an opportunity to tie the Milwaukee Brewers for second place in the National League Central, depending on the outcome of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks later in the day.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 PM ET.