The Pittsburgh Pirates (51-88) and Cincinnati Reds (56-82) swing into a 4-game NL Central series Monday. First pitch from Great American Ball Park is at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Season series: Cincinnati leads 7-5

The Pirates head down the Ohio River after a 2-7 homestand. They are just 6-22 over and have clocked a mere .644 OPS over their last 28 games. Pittsburgh’s .561 OPS for the season ranks 28th in MLB.

The Reds are back at home after a 3-3 road trip. Cincinnati scored 6 runs in a loss at the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday. The Reds have slashed a solid .266/.317/.486 (.803 OPS) over their last 5 games.

Pirates at Reds projected starters

RHP Bryse Wilson vs. LHP Mike Minor

Wilson (2-8, 6.11 ERA) He has a 1.49 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 through 88 1/3 IP across 20 games (16 starts).

• Has allowed 3 or more runs in 7 of his last 8 appearances
• Albeit in a small sample, has held Reds batters to an aggregate .618 OPS

Minor (4-10, 5.70 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.56 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 through 90 IP.

• Has been shelled in 2 outings versus Pittsburgh this season for 9 runs over 12 innings
• Allowed 1 R over 5 2/3 IP in his last start Wednesday at the Chicago Cubs) and has a history of strong finishes with a career 3.88 ERA in Sept./Oct.

Pirates at Reds odds

• Money line: Pirates +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Reds -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-180) | Reds -1.5 (+145)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)

Pirates at Reds picks and predictions

Prediction

Reds 5, Pirates 4

Money line

Cincinnati is 17-3 over its last 20 home games against the Bucs.

Pittsburgh has had 11 road trips so far this season: the Pirates are 1-10 in their trip openers.

The home nine has the more rested bullpen, especially at the back end.

TAKE CINCINNATI (-140).

Run line/Against the spread

The likable home side and likable Under don’t usually mix well on the Run Line PASS.

Over/Under

Peg the Cincy offense as being a bit too far out over its skis with its surface numbers. The wiggle room for the pitchers shades the Under, and the weather report in Cincinnati calls for a cooled-off evening.

BACK THE UNDER 9.5 (-130).

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