Pirates/Reds
Johnny Cueto takes the mound for the Reds and he has been fabulous so far. He has gone 7 innings in each of his 3 starts, while giving up a total of 5 runs in those 21 innings. His whip through those 3 games is pretty impressive at 1.00. He has a 1.93 era in his two home starts (both day games).
Cueto has always been a pitcher who excels in his home ballpark. From 2011 to 2013 (3 years) he had a 16-5 record to go along with a 2.16 era at home. Johnny also loves the daytime. Over that 3 year period, he has always been stronger pitching under the sun. He had a 19-4 record with a 2.00 era in day games over that same period.
Mr. Cueto did have 2 starts against the Pirates last year:
12 1/3 innings: 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 er <--------------------------
0.73 era, 0.41 whip <--------------------------
|
|
In 148 Ab, the Pirates team has a .189 avg and .559 OPS. Both are Cy Young level low.
The Pirates send Liriano to the mound. He has probably pitched better than his 4.00 era suggests. However, he is night and day with his home/away performance. He was beyond lights out at PNC last year (1.47 era), but his performance on the road was comparably terrible. He had 4.33 road era and his avg against rose almost a 100 points. Liriano had a 3.70 era in 4 starts against the Reds last year and the Pirates lost all 4 games. In 2 starts at Great American Ballpark he had a 6.10era and a whip of 1.55 in 10 1/3 innings of work.
The Reds team has a .260 avg and .737 OPS against Liriano (104 AB)
I'll most likely take the Reds, not sure if I want to wait for lineups or not