Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) Cincinnati 5, Pittsburgh 6

Many would not consider scoring 19 runs in four games to be an offensive explosion, but when it's the Pittsburgh Pirates, boom goes the dynamite. The Pirates, who tallied eight runs in their first six contests, will be challenged to keep their juggernaut going when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Johnny Cueto, who is 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA against Pittsburgh - 7-2, 2.10 at PNC Park - starts for Cincinnati, which has lost three straight games, including 6-5 on Friday.

While Andrew McCutchen was the offensive hero Friday with a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, leadoff hitter Starling Marte continues to impress. He is hitting .350 with a .395 on-base percentage and has recorded a hit in his first at-bat in six straight games. As the Reds' Joey Votto continues to walk (major league-leading 14) more than hit (10), Brandon Phillips is providing the power with four homers, including two Friday - the last tying the game in the seventh.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (1-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (0-1, 6.00)

Cueto defeated Washington 6-3 in his last start Sunday, but needed 108 pitches to complete six innings while allowing three runs, seven hits and three walks. The 27-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has recorded 15 strikeouts in 13 innings over his first two outings. Cueto allowed three runs (one earned) in seven innings in his last start against the Pirates in September. McCutchen is 9-for-36 with three homers against Cueto.

Locke allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings in a 6-2 loss against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 25-year-old North Conway, N.H., native is 1-7 lifetime in 13 games - 11 starts. In 31 career innings at home, Locke has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. In 26 road innings, the numbers are significantly worse - 8.65 and 1.81. Locke faced the Reds once, receiving a no-decision while allowing one run in 4 2/3 innings in 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 2B Neil Walker is 16-for-32 and has 43 RBIs with the bases loaded after his two-run single Friday.

2. Reds reliever J.J. Hoover has taken the loss in three of Cincinnati's five setbacks, including Friday when he allowed McCutchen's homer.

3. Pirates RHP Jason Grilli, in his first season as the primary closer, has four saves after recording four in his first 313 career relief appearances.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Reds 2