Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds – September 20, 2024

After back-to-back lopsided losses to the Braves, the Cincinnati Reds (74-80) begin their final home series of the 2024 season this weekend. They will face the Pittsburgh Pirates (72-81) and attempt to remain out of last place in the NL Central. First pitch tonight is at 6:40 PM EDT.

Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Mitch Keller

Right-hander Mitch Keller had a really good season in the middle months, but those good months were bookended by some bad months. Keller started 2024 with a 5.18 ERA in April, then turned it around with a sub-3.00 ERA in May and June and a serviceable 3.60 ERA in July. However, August was not kind to him. He allowed 18 runs in 24.0 innings last month. He’s been better this month but is still 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in three September starts.

The noticeable thing about Keller’s splits is the number of home runs he’s allowed to lefties vs. righties. While facing only 29 more left-handed batters, he has given up 11 more home runs to them versus right-handed batters. His opponent batting average is almost 20 points higher for lefties; however, he also strikes out lefties more and walks them less.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Nick Martinez

In a perfect world, right-hander Nick Martinez would’ve been in the bullpen as the long man all season. However, we don’t live in a perfect world and Martinez has been one of the best and most versatile pitchers for the Reds this season. He has given them much needed innings, both as a relief pitcher early in the season and as a starter late in the season when the Reds were down to just two starting pitchers.

Martinez is also inching closer to some career numbers for himself. He’s two strikeouts away from his career high of 106 last year with the San Diego Padres. He’s also just 12 innings from a career high in innings pitched. He threw 140.1 innings in his rookie season with the Texas Rangers in 2014. The most impressive stat for Martinez, however, has to be his walk rate. He’s allowed only 18 walks in 128.1 innings. With a career 2.9 BB/9, he’s never been the type of pitcher to walk a lot of batters. This year he seems to be on another level though. Currently Martinez has allowed the fewest walks ever in his career. He did allow 19 walks in 2016, but he only pitched 38.2 innings that year. In 2024, his BB/9 sits at a sparkling 1.3.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Game Details:

• Time: 6:40 PM EDT
• Place: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
• Weather: 90 degrees, mostly sunny, 0 percent chance of rain
• TV: Bally Sports Ohio
• Radio: 700 WLW

News and Notes

Today’s Roster Move

It seems to be a daily occurrence these days. The Reds made another minor roster move today in an effort to get rested bullpen arms up here for the weekend series.

Down on the Farm

The Reds had three prospects from High-A Dayton named to minor league All-Star teams this week.

Most of the minor league teams are done for the year, but Triple-A Louisville is still playing. See how they fared yesterday and who they face tonight.