Reds Pirates

[benibrowns]

Liriano is 0-3 vs reds, in 4 games (they lost all 4 games)
Liriano is 1-2 in Sept in 5 games (they are 2-3 in his games)
Liriano gave up 16 runs in 5 games in Sept.
Liriano gave up 10 runs in 4 game against Reds

Cueto is 1-0 vs Pirates in 2 games (Reds are 1-1 in his starts)
Cueto is 1-0 in Sept in 2 games (Reds are 2-0 in his starts)
Cueto gave up 2 runs in 2 starts in Sept.
Cueto gave up 1 run (3 hits, 2 walks) in 2 games against Reds

Site,...http://www.baseball-reference.com

Looks like Reds have the Pitching advantage in this game. Either way, I love the under!

[2daBank]

not sure i buy reds have pitching edge..it is close tho and i agree under is where it at,,i hope reds win cause that be a series id be incredibly confident cards win where pit matches up better...

[Down_Goes Bookie]

Cueto is 1-0 in Sept in 2 games (Reds are 2-0 in his starts)
Cueto gave up 2 runs in 2 starts in Sept.

Cueto gave up 2 runs in 2 September starts against ... the Mets and Astros.

Johnny Rocket hasn't faced a quality lineup since returning from the DL.

I like Cueto better in this matchup by a bit. He was phenomenal in 2 April and May starts at PNC Park this year, surrendering 3 H in 12 IP. It's towards the end of a long season for Liriano, and the decline in his September stats would appear to suggest fatigue, but they are inflated by 7 ER in 3 IP vs. Millwaukee in early September. (A beer-league shelling is always a concern with Liriano). Over his career, September has been nearly Liriano's worst month, but he's been excellent this year and a strong performance wouldn't surprise me at all.

With his long layoff, Cueto isn't suffering from season-long fatigue. Current Pirates have hit Cueto at .220 vs. current Red hitting Liriano at .241. And if you believe in the "due" factor, Cincy is due for a win vs. Pit after dropping three straight.

Pirates get the edge in managerial quality and a slightly better bullpen. A tight 1-run game is a strong possibility here.