Field Level Media
26 Sep 2022, 08:10 GMT+10
The Pittsburgh Pirates and visiting Cincinnati Reds will be in contention for something in a series that opens Monday evening -- but it is far from a playoff spot.
The three games between the teams will help determine whether the Reds (60-93) or Pirates (56-97) finish last in the National LeagueCentral.
Those two teams also are in contention for last place in the league. Their competition there is Washington (53-99).
The Pirates swept a four-game series at Cincinnati earlier this month but have lost nine of 10 since.
One positive for Pittsburgh down the stretch is the promise of its young starting pitchers. The average age of the five starters is 23.8, with Monday's starter, Roansy Contreras, the youngest at 22, and Mitch Keller the oldest at 26.
In between are Bryse Wilson, 24, Johan Oviedo, 24, and Luis Ortiz, 23.
In the Pirates' past two games, against the Chicago Cubs, Oviedo pitched seven scoreless innings on Saturday, and Ortiz pitched one-run, one-hit ball over 4 2/3 innings before hitting a hard pitch count.
"You talk about acquiring guys and developing guys, I think we're starting to see it," Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. "Starting pitching is how you build, and we're starting to build in that area, which is really important."
Cincinnati has lost seven of its past 10 games but avoided a weekend sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers with a 2-1 win Sunday on Spencer Steer's game-deciding homer in the eighth.
"Hopefully, that's just a glimpse of what's to come," Steer, a rookie infielder, told Bally Sports.
"Having that experience, to win a game directly for us ... the best part is the excitement from your teammates, what it does for our team," Reds manager David Bell said.
"And to have that kind of success ... and contribute to winning a game when we really needed it."
In the series opener on Monday, Cincinnati right-hander Chase Anderson (2-3, 5.21 ERA) is set to start against Contreras (5-5, 3.68 ERA).
Contreras had mixed results in his most recent time out, a loss Wednesday against the New York Yankees. He struck out a career-best 10 but also gave up six runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.
He insisted he remained grounded during that game and expects the same of himself moving forward.
"I just remained focused, no matter the situation, sticking to the plan and attacking the hitters," Contreras said.
Such unbalanced outings, he said, "are going to happen in your career. You just have to remain focused and mentally prepared for situations like that. ... You take the opportunity to grow and learn from them."
Against the Reds, Contreras is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two career starts, both this season.
Anderson has won his past two starts, including Wednesday against Boston when he gave up one run and three hits in five innings, with four strikeouts and no walks.
That was just his fifth start of the season for Anderson, who is with his third organization this year.
"It is a step in the right direction," Anderson said. "When I first got here, my goal was to make each outing a little better and build the pitch count."
Anderson is 9-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 20 career games (19 starts) against the Pirates. He has not faced Pittsburgh this year.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More Information(Photo credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images) The Detroit Pistons saw their longest winning streak in 17 years end on Friday night. They...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) The St. Louis Blues are finally seeing a payoff for their progress made since Jim Montgomery...
(Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images) Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 26 in the second half, as the visiting...
(250301) -- ACAPULCO, March 1, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Nakashima Brandon of the United States hits a return during the singles semifinal match...
(Photo credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images) The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets meet Saturday bearing the load of disappointing...
New Delhi [India], March 1 (ANI): Elevating the spirit of sports in the national capital, Indian sport shooter Deepak Kumar and TV...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Dublin has unveiled a new 5.5 million euro cycle track along the south quays, enhancing safety and accessibility for...
DUBAI, UAE - Fuelre4m has announced a new partnership with one of the UAE's largest yacht operators aimed at improving fuel efficiency...
CAIRO — Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy...
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- A selection of the best press photos from Xinhua. A drone photo taken on Feb. 27, 2025 shows the construction...
BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- In a significant move to open its telecommunication sector further, China has approved 13 foreign-invested...
(Photo credit: Jeff Romance / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Jake Knapp followed his opening-round 59 with a far more modest,...