Trevor Williams takes on the Reds

Fresh off their walk-off victory on Friday night, the Pirates will look to extend their win streak to two as they again host the Reds at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Scheduled game time is 7:05 p.m. Eastern, with Cincinnati left-hander Alex Wood (1-2, 5.92) set to face Pittsburgh’s Trevor Williams (5-6, 5.65).

The 28 year old Wood was obtained from the Dodgers in a trade over the winter that also brought the since departed outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig. Again beset with injuries, Wood was out the whole year with back discomfort before being activated on July 28. Owner of a 3.46 ERA in his four years in Los Angeles, Wood has made five starts with the Reds, allowing two runs in each of the first two but twelve in thirteen innings over his last three starts.

Wood’s fastball still average just a tick below 90 mph, with his primary off-speed pitch being a change up. Although left-handed batters touch him for a high BABIP, Wood severely limits their extra base hits and walks, allowing two home runs and three walks to left-handed batters in 193 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Wood will face any right-handed batters in the Pirates’ lineup.

Since coming back from the Disabled List in May, Williams has struggling to regain any of the studliness he displayed last season. He had a 2.59 ERA in his first five starts this year, but including the game in which he was injured and those since he has returned, Williams has been hit to the tune of a 6.93 ERA in his last fourteen starts, allowing a 319/369/603 line that includes 18 home runs and a .340 BABIP. He allowed six, five and six runs in his last three starts.

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REDS

1 L Josh van Meter LF

2 S Freddy Galvis 2B

3 R Eugenio Suarez 3B

4 R Aristides Aquino RF

5 S Tucker Barnhart C

6 R Jose Iglesias SS

7 L Derek Dietrich 1B

8 R Phillip Ervin CF

9 L Alex Wood LHP

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PIRATES

1 R Kevin Newman 2B

2 S Bryan Reynolds LF

3 R Starling Marte CF

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 R Jose Osuna 3B

6 R Pablo Reyes RF

7 R Jacob Stallings C

8 R Erik Gonzalez SS

9 R Trevor Williams RHP