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The Pittsburgh Pirates need to right the ship starting Monday as they visit Cincinnati in a big series. The good news for Bucs backers is that Wandy Rodriguez starts the opener and he’s been terrific of late. Bet on Pirates-Reds and every game at WagerWeb.com!
Miami at Philadelphia – Marlins LHP Wade LeBlanc (2-3, 2.72) vs. Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-10, 3.96): Overcoming a slow start, LeBlanc ended up turning in a quality start in his previous outing. The lefty gave up three runs in six innings in a no-decision. Back in the rotation, LeBlanc is 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts. … Kendrick looks to build upon his recent success against the team which he started his hot streak. Over his past five starts, including an Aug. 14 win at Miami, Kendrick is 4-1 with a 1.53 ERA. He’s struck out 25 and walked just four in that span.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati – Pirates LHP Wandy Rodriguez (10-13, 3.71) vs. Reds RHP Mat Latos (12-4, 3.69): Rodriguez enters with a string of 13 scoreless innings to validate the Bucs’ decision to make him their key Trade Deadline pick up. His five quality starts among seven with the Pirates include an Aug. 3 start in Cincinnati. …. Latos looked strong again Tuesday, limiting the Phillies to one run on four hits to earn his 12th win of the season. He has held his opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 18 of 28 starts this season and is two wins shy of his career high.
Washington at NY Mets – Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (18-7, 2.98) vs. Mets RHP Collin McHugh (0-1, 3.27): In his last start, Gonzalez allowed three hits and struck out nine. In the first five innings, he allowed just one baserunner. Josh Vitters reached first base on a throwing error by shortstop Ian Desmond in the third. … McHugh’s second career start didn’t go nearly as well as his first. After throwing seven innings of shutout ball against the Rockies on Aug. 23, he gave up four runs in as many innings against St. Louis on Sept. 3.
Chicago Cubs at Houston – Cubs RHP Chris Volstad (2-10, 6.23) vs. Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel (1-7, 5.54): With Jeff Samardzija shutdown for the season, Volstad and others need to pick up the slack. Volstad served up five runs on nine hits over five innings in his last outing vs. the Nationals, but does have two wins in his last three starts. … Keuchel returns to the Astros from a brief stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City, marking the start of a six-man rotation for Houston. He’s searching for his second win of the season and first win since his second start back on June 23.
Atlanta at Milwaukee – Braves LHP Mike Minor (8-10, 4.58) vs. Brewers RHP Wily Peralta (1-0, 5.14): Minor displayed good fastball command and poise while limiting the Rockies to one run in seven scoreless innings on Wednesday. In his past 11 starts, he has a 2.58 ERA and has limited opponents to a .206 batting average. … The 23-year-old Peralta acquitted himself well in his first Major League start, pitching into the seventh inning and allowing three runs, two of which scored after Peralta had exited. He was still hitting 96 mph in his final inning.
San Francisco at Colorado – Giants RHP Ryan Vogelsong (12-7, 3.29) vs. Rockies RHP Alex White (2-8, 5.31): Vogelsong continued his recent struggles in his last outing, giving up six runs in 3 1/3 innings against the D-backs. He has now allowed 24 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings in his last five starts, raising his ERA from 2.27 to 3.29. … White earned a no-decision when he last faced the Giants, on August 12 in San Francisco, throwing four innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. He has not pitched past the fourth in his last seven outings.
St. Louis at San Diego – Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (4-6, 4.16) vs. Padres LHP Eric Stults (5-2, 2.38): Garcia has made four starts since coming off the disabled list. The results have varied drastically based on the venue, though. While strong at home, Garcia has given up 16 hits and 10 earned runs in his last two road outings (11 1/3 innings). … Stults allowed one run over six innings in his last start against the Dodgers, a no-decision. He got nine ground-ball outs and has allowed one earned run over his last three starts, getting a lot of mileage out of his big, looping curveball.
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