Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2016 ) Pittsburgh 10, Cincinnati 4

The Pittsburgh Pirates posted large crooked numbers in the late going of back-to-back contests to vent some frustration for their pronounced plummet in the standings. The Pirates look to continue their power surge on Saturday as they face the host Cincinnati Reds in a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park.

Pittsburgh erupted for eight runs in the ninth inning of a 15-2 rout of Philadelphia on Thursday and plated three in the 10th of a 9-7 triumph over Cincinnati the following night. Andrew McCutchen is 8-for-18 with three homers, five RBIs and as many runs scored during his four-game hitting streak for the Pirates, who are 3-1 since losing 12 of their previous 14 to fall out of the conversation in their bid for the fourth consecutive postseason appearance. Pittsburgh has evened its season series with eight wins apiece against cellar-dwelling Cincinnati, which has yielded 16 runs in its two losses on the heels of their five-game winning streak. Saturday's doubleheader is a result of a makeup game from May 10 that was postponed by rain.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (1-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (9-10, 4.04)

Williams followed up his feel-good story with his first career win on Sept. 7 by allowing three runs on four hits in one inning of relief three days later in an 8-7 setback to Cincinnati. The 24-year-old issued a bases loaded walk before Tucker Barnhart ripped a two-run double in the more-recent outing. Williams, who will be making his first start, posted a 9-6 mark with a 2.53 ERA in 20 appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Finnegan scattered five singles over as many innings in an 8-0 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday, although his five walks were reason for concern in addition to driving up his pitch count. The 23-year-old has issued nine free passes in his last two starts and 81 in 164 2/3 innings this season. Finnegan has yielded just one run and struck out 13 batters en route to winning both career starts versus the Pirates.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh OF Gregory Polanco is 5-for-12 with one homer, three RBIs and five runs scored in his last three games.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 20-for-50 with two homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored in September.

3. Pirates OF Starling Marte is expected to play in one contest of the doubleheader after sitting out the last 11 with back spasms.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 3