Series preview: Can Pirates spoil Reds’ Wild Card hopes?

Cincinnati Reds (75-69) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (52-91), September 14-16, 2021

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Reds SB Nation Site: Red Reporter

The Pirates look to play spoiler as the Reds fight for the final NL Wild Card spot.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this week:

Projected Starters

Tuesday, 6:35 p.m. EST

Wade Miley (12-5, 2.89 ERA) vs. Dillon Peters (0-2, 3.38 ERA)

Wednesday, 6:35 p.m. EST

Vladimir Gutierrez (9-6, 4.05 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (4-11, 6.29 ERA)

Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EST

Tyler Mahle (11-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. TBD

Projected Lineups

Reds

1. Jonathan India (R) 2B
2. Max Schrock (L) LF
3. Nick Castellanos (R) RF
4. Joey Votto (L) 1B
5. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
6. Kyle Farmer (R) SS
7. Tucker Barnhart (L) C
8. Delino DeShields (R) CF
9. Starting Pitcher

Pirates

1. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
2. Yoshi Tsutsugo (RF)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Colin Moran (1B)
5. Ben Gamel (LF)
6. Jacob Stallings (C)
7. Cole Tucker (2B)
8. Kevin Newman (SS)
9. Starting Pitcher

The Reds are teetering along the line of being the second NL Wild Card and missing the postseason entirely. They’re on that line with the San Diego Padres, and with less than a month in the season, one team is going to have to fall off soon.

The Pirates could help their Padre friends by playing well this week against the Reds, who they have not had too much success against recently. In August, the Reds swept the Pirates in a four-game set at home. Throughout the season, they are 1-9 against their division rival.

If there was any time to start fresh and reverse their fortunes, now is that time.