The Pirates have lost back to back games in Cincinnati, and they now sit two games back of division leaders St. Louis. They look to avoid a sweep in the series finale today, and with a favorable matchup on the mound, they might be in a good spot to earn a victory. Jeff Locke will return to the rotation after sitting out with a sore back since July 8. Locke (8-2, 2.15 ERA) allowed a pair of runs on just three hits over seven innings in a 2-1 loss to Oakland his last time out. He ranks second amongst National League pitchers with only Clayton Kershaw having a lower ERA. The Reds haven't been able to solve him in two previous meetings, as he's 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in those games. One of those games was at Great American Ballpark, and he tossed 7 scoreless innings not factoring in the decision.
Homer Bailey will get the nod for the home team, and he's lost consecutive starts since recording a no-hitter on July 2. In fact the Reds have lost five of his last six starts, with the only exception being the no-hitter. Another factor working against Bailey today is that he's been awful in day starts, with a record of 1-5, 5.13 ERA in nine starts this year in afternoon games. Take the Pirates here to avoid the sweep!