Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick Prediction 6/18

Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick Prediction 6/18

David Bednar is back in beast mode for the Pittsburgh Pirates, aiming to extend their winning streak against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick Prediction 6/18

Bednar clinched his 15th save by sending the Reds packing in a tidy ninth inning of Monday’s 4-1 victory. This two-time All-Star has now nailed down 14 consecutive save opportunities, proving he’s bounced back from his early-season struggles when his ERA resembled a phone number (11.70, to be exact).

The Pirates boast an impressive 28-4 record when they’re leading after seven innings, thanks in part to the late-game heroics of Aroldis Chapman, Colin Holderman, and the aforementioned Bednar. These guys are like the Avengers of the bullpen, swooping in to save the day and secure those precious Ws.

In recent games, Pittsburgh has been hotter than a jalapeño in a heatwave, winning three of their last four matchups. Meanwhile, the Reds seem to be on a rollercoaster ride, dropping three straight and five of their last seven. Coach David Bell remains optimistic about his squad’s plate performance, especially with Elly De La Cruz stealing bases like he’s swiping snacks from the dugout.

Starting Pitchers

On the mound for Cincinnati will be Nick Lodolo (7-2, 2.93 ERA), aiming for his fifth consecutive victory. He’s been tossing pitches like they’re confetti at a victory parade, and he’s ready to shut down the Pirates like a bouncer at a rowdy bar.

Andrew McCutchen might be the Pirates’ kryptonite against Lodolo, with a home run and three walks in their past matchups. Can the veteran slugger continue to be a thorn in Lodolo’s side, or will the young gun finally have his revenge?

Pittsburgh’s counter-move is left-hander Bailey Falter (3-4, 3.86 ERA), who’s had a rough patch lately, giving up runs like it’s going out of style. Spencer Steer seems to have his number, batting an impressive 4-for-6 with a home run against him. Looks like Falter might need a new game plan against Steer’s hot bat.

In injury news, the Reds are keeping an eye on center fielder TJ Friedl, who tweaked his hamstring during Monday’s game after making a heroic diving catch. Let’s hope he’s back on his feet faster than a cat on a hot tin roof.

Meanwhile, Pirates’ left fielder Bryan Reynolds continues to be a hitting machine, extending his streak to 15 games with two doubles and an RBI in the series opener. His bat is hotter than a summer sidewalk, batting .349 with stats that make pitchers wake up in a cold sweat.

Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick Prediction 6/18

In a clash that promises more twists than a pretzel factory, the Pittsburgh Pirates look to make it rain doubloons against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. With David Bednar channeling his inner superhero and the Pirates bullpen tighter than a jar lid, they’ll aim to extend their winning streak against a Reds team desperately seeking redemption after a recent string of losses.

On the flip side, Bailey Falter’s got a chip on his shoulder and a curveball that could make batters dizzy. Will he turn the tables against a Reds lineup hungry for hits?

Injuries and streaks aside, expect sparks to fly, bats to crack, and fans to roar louder than a lion with a toothache. Over the posted total

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