Pittsburgh Pirates Series Preview

After splitting a 4-game set with the Cardinals, the Bucs take off to Cincinnati to face the Reds in a 3-game series.

Probable Pitchers:
Game 1 - Jeff Karstens (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game 2 - Paul Maholm (0-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Micah Owings (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game 3 - Ian Snell (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. Aaron Harang (0-1, 1.80 ERA)

Expect the teams to split games 2 and 3 with both aces facing not-too-stellar pitchers. Whoever wins the first game of this series will win the series. It's basically a toss-up. Karstens and Cueto both make their first starts of the year. Karstens last year was 2-6 with a 4.03 ERA and is coming off a horrible spring. Cueto is coming off a great spring and was 9-14 last season with a 4.81 ERA.

Pittsburgh is looking to win this series so they can post a winning record in their first road trip of the year before heading back to PNC Park after the game on Sunday.