After breaking a five-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to build on their momentum as they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates are eager to secure consecutive wins following their commanding 9-1 triumph on Friday.
The Reds will rely on right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-1, 3.18 ERA) to continue his impressive season. Overcoming injuries last year, the 24-year-old has quickly established himself as a vital member of Cincinnati’s pitching rotation amid numerous setbacks. Lowder recently delivered a strong performance against Detroit, striking out a season-best seven batters.
Notably, Cincinnati has excelled on the road this season, winning 10 of their first 14 away games. Meanwhile, outfielder TJ Friedl remains in good form, having recorded two hits in Friday’s loss.
On the mound for Pittsburgh will be Carmen Mlodzinski (1-2, 4.13 ERA). Although he showed promise early in the season, Mlodzinski has faced challenges in recent outings following a solid start in April.
The Pirates’ offense has been energized by Bryan Reynolds, who hit another home run on Friday and continues to trouble Cincinnati’s pitching staff. Additionally, Henry Davis bolstered the lineup with a multi-homer effort in the series opener.
In a significant development, Pittsburgh aims to overcome a recurring issue of struggling when opponents score first—a trend they will be keen to avoid against a confident Reds team.
