The N.L. Central division is the tightest in baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds meet for a three-game series starting Friday. If you can't watch the game, check out the scoring updates with play-by-play, pitch sequence and all the stats from Friday's game.
The Pirates and Reds are separated by a game. They are second and third in the N.L. Central, respectively. Though the Pirates have been the more consistent team all year round, the Reds have played better baseball in the latter stage of the season. If the Reds are serious about making a move, this is their perfect chance to make something happen. They will go into the Pirates with a solid starter on the mound.
Mat Latos will take the ball for the Reds and he will have to give a better effort than his last start. Exactly a week ago, Latos went 6.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and three walks. He only struck out four hitters as his control was not at its best. In the season, Latos has been trust worthy, posting a 14-6 record with a 3.15 ERA in 30 starts this season.
The Reds will have a tough matchup tonight as they face the surprising Francisco Liriano. The Pirates took a chance and they wound up winning as Liriano has looked great in general. He is 16-7 with a 2.92 ERA in 24 starts this year. He's only allowed three earned runs in his last 12 innings pitched, but his control has been off, walking nine and striking out nine in the same span.
Liriano has seen the Reds three times already this season. He had great success against them in his first starts of the year, but he was clocked by Cincinnati in his last meeting against them in July. After allowing only three earned runs in 12 innings pitched through his first two starts against them that season, Liriano surrendered five earled runs on five hits in his last start against Cincinnati in July. Liriano has yet to defeat the Reds in 2013.
Click here for live updates as the Reds and Pirates meet in a crucial three-game set starting on Friday.
