The Pittsburgh Pirates, with a record of 34-37 and a home record of 16-17, are set to host the Cincinnati Reds, who have a record of 34-37 and a road record of 16-18, in a three-game series at PNC Park.
The Pirates have a strong record when hitting multiple home runs in a game, going 11-7 in such contests. On the other hand, the Reds have struggled on the road, with a batting average of .232, which ranks 10th in the National League.
Key players for the Pirates include Andrew McCutchen, who has six doubles, 10 home runs, and 22 RBIs, and Nick Gonzales, who has been on a tear, going 14-for-41 with three doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.
The Reds have been led by Elly De La Cruz, who has 11 doubles, three triples, and 12 home runs, and Jeimer Candelario, who has been hot over the past 10 games, going 14-for-40 with three doubles, five home runs, and 12 RBIs.
This series marks the first meeting between the two teams this season, with the Pirates looking to improve their home record and the Reds seeking to overcome their road struggles.
Both teams have players on the injured list, including Henry Davis, Hunter Stratton, and Ryan Borucki for the Pirates, and Emilio Pagan, Brandon Williamson, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand for the Reds. Despite these setbacks, both teams are expected to give it their all in what promises to be an exciting series.