Series Preview: Reds at Pirates

After a 4-1 start in interleague play, the Pirates get their first National League competition a week into the season, hosting the Reds in a four-game set.

Cincinnati was swept at home by the Nationals in a three-game series to start the season. The Reds beat the Cubs on Monday, then were rained out Tuesday and off Wednesday, so they’re coming off two days of rest.

Schedule

Thursday, 7:05 p.m. — Homer Bailey (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Steven Brault (1-0, 0.00), TV: MLB Network

Friday, 7:05 p.m. — Luis Castillo (0-1, 10.80) vs. Trevor Williams (1-0, 0.00), TV: MLB Network

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. — Sal Romano (0-1, 4.50) vs. Chad Kuhl (1-0, 6.35), TV: AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market)

Sunday, 1:35 p.m. — Tyler Mahle (1-0, 0.00) vs. Jameson Taillon (1-0, 3.38), TV: AT&T SportsNet

Reds

1-3

Offense

Scooter Gennett is hitting .471 (8-for-17) this season, so obviously he’s broken out and last season was no fluke. Joey Votto, though, is mired in a .200/.294/.200 slump. He’s clearly washed up. The Reds to recently locked up Eugenio Suarez to a seven-year extension guaranteeing him $66 million, which seems prudent.

Pitching

Tyler Mahle, 23, has the one win on this staff, having blanked the Cubs over six innings on Monday, with seven strikeouts and two walks. You know of Luis Castillo from your fantasy draft. Mahle and Castillo aren’t particularly hyped up, but they’re two young bright spots that could help bring a little stability to a Reds staff that’s seen a tumultuous few years. Jared Hughes has appeared in three of the Reds’ four games so far, with a strikeout, a walk and a run in 2 1-3 innings.

Outlook

We know it’s incredibly early, but I get the sense that wins feel better than losses even at this stage.