Score: Reds 0-2 Pirates
"Cueto" chants appear to rattle the Reds' pitcher as he surrenders two runs on two home runs in the bottom of the 2nd.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds hook up for their fourth consecutive game in the 2013 season. Well, the regular season is over. These two are meeting in the 2013 N.L. Wild Card Game. It's winner take all. The prize is entrance into the NLDS to face the St. Louis Cardinals, but before crossing that bridge, one will have to walk out victorious. Can't watch the game? Check out scoring updates with live blog and updates with all that's taking place from PNC Park.
The Pirates crowd should be rowdy. Who knows? This could be the only postseason game the Pirates play for another 21 years... Okay, that was a bad joke. The Pirates have a very talented squad in 2013. They have players who have surprised in 2013, while possessing some of the brightest stars in baseball. Andrew McCutchen has been loyal and consistent since he first made his entrance in the big leagues six years ago. Pedro Alvarez will strikeout, but he will also play defense and when he gets a hold of one, consider it a souvenire.
The Pirates have picked up veterans like A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano, who have provided a decent backbone to their starting rotation. Then there's manager Clint Hurdle, who has seen the best and the worst from a Pirates team that had been clawing and scratching its way to a .500 record in previous years. However, 2013 was the year where they finished with a winning record and also clinched their first playoff berth in over 20 years.
They face a Reds team that has been focused all season long. Chasing after two of the league's best teams? Not a problem. The Reds remained steady through the course of the season. The Pirates and Cardinals fought for the top spots, while the Reds patiently waited to make their move. They were never successful at their a coup d'etat, but the Reds came close to at least finishing in the top spot in the N.L. Wild Card.
In the end, the Pirates and Reds were meant to finish at the top of the Wild Card standings. Consider it an N.L. Central playoff as the division has three teams representing in the 2013 playoffs.
Click here for live play-by-play and score updates brought to you by MLBGameDay.
