Pirates continue their mini road trip to start the year Friday with the first of a three game series with the Cincinnati Reds. Pirates enter the series with a record of 2-2 while the reds avoid being swept by the Mets with a win Thursday, they limp in at 1-2.
Keys to Series
- McLouth and Doumit - Combined 3 for 30 in the Cards series. If the Pirates are going to continue to win on the road, these two need to produce
- Ian Snell - Projected to start Sunday against Aaron Harang, Snell has the stuff but cant seem to stay focused in key parts of the game. Also, needs to be reminded that first pitch strikes are better than balls
- Joey Votto - He may be under the proverbial radar in some parts of the baseball world but not this part. Votto is only leading the Reds in BA, HR, R, OPS, and RBIs...no biggie. If the pirates can keep him in the yard and Taveras of the base paths as much as possible they will have a strong chance of success throughout the series
- Need a strong start from Karstens tonight as the Reds will be sending Johnny Cueto to the mound. Cueto had 17 k's in 16 innings vs the Buccos in 2008. A lot of what the Buccos do this year depends on the strength of Ohlendorf and Karstens at the end of the rotation.
- Tell Andy LaRoche someone was looking for him inside the stadium, then proceed to leave him in Cincinnati.
rained out tonight brings up an interesting match up of maholm cueto tomorrow afternoon.
ReplyDeleteLook for Maholm to pound the strike zone early and often, only Reds hitter i truly worry about is Votto.
ReplyDelete