The Cincinnati Reds face a crucial series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, coming off a dominant 14-1 victory in the series opener. Currently sitting at .500 (16-16) and third place in the Central Division, the Reds look to capitalize on their recent momentum, having won 4 of their last 6 games.

The Pirates, despite being favored at -115 for game two, have struggled lately with a 2-9 record in their last 11 games, placing them last in the Central at 14-20.

Key Game Matchup:

• Reds: Jeff Hoffman (2-2, 4.39 ERA)
• Pirates: JT Brubaker (2-2, 2.78 ERA)

Offensive Comparison:

• Reds: 171 runs scored, .433 slugging percentage (2nd in MLB)
• Pirates: 117 runs scored, led by Adam Frazier (.308 batting average)

Notable Performers:

• Tyler Naquin: 4 RBIs in series opener, team-leading 24 RBIs total
• Nick Castellanos: 9 home runs this season

The Reds' powerful offense continues to impress, though they'll face a tough test against Brubaker, who has emerged as the Pirates' ace. While Pittsburgh struggles to generate offense, they typically perform better at home. For the Reds to contend for the NL Central title, winning these divisional matchups against Pittsburgh is crucial.

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