The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Cincinnati Reds in the most pivotal baseball matchup this weekend. Without a doubt, this is the most interesting series to be played as season has its days counted. Either by error or on purpose, MLB.TV is providing the action for free online. Watch the Pirates and Reds face off in an N.L. Central battle with Wild Card implications at 7:10 p.m. ET at the Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates and the Reds will send inconsistent right handers with decent ERA's to the hill. Doesn't make much sense? Homer Bailey, who is 11-11 in 31 starts with a 3.40 ERA faces A.J. Burnett, who is 9-11 with a 3.39 ERA.
Bailey is the hotter pitcher entering this game. He's 6-1 in his last 10 starts with a 2.65 ERA. The bad news is that he took a loss in his last start against these very same Pirates. He went 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks, while striking out three. It was Burnett who was on the mound for the Pirates that day and he bested Bailey in that meeting. Burnett went seven innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks, while striking out 12.
Why is this game so important? As it's far from settled, the N.L. Wild Card will take shape after this series is over. The Pirates and Reds are only separated by one game as of Friday afternoon. The Pirates are 91-68, while the Reds are 90-69, a full game behind the Pirates.
The Pirates need to win two out of threeg ames to take first place in the Wild Card and host the N.L. Wild Card Game. The Reds need to sweep the series if they want to take over first place. This series will decide who has home field advantage only during the N.L. Wild Card Game.
There is a lot riding behind this game and this series. Who will finish on top? Watch the action for free online.
