The Pittsburgh Pirates (73-81) and Cincinnati Reds (79-76) play the 2nd of a 3-game set at Great American Ball Park Saturday. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Season series: Pirates lead 7-4

The Bucs have won 3 games in a row and are surging with 7 wins in the last 10 contests. They still sit 7 games out of an NL Wild Card spot with hope dwindling, but it has been a successful season for them. Pittsburgh is 18-12 over the last 30 games.

The Reds came of age as well this year, and they’re just 1 1/2 games out of an NL Wild Card spot. They need to turn it around though, as they’ve lost 3 in a row and 4 of 5. Cincinnati has actually been a better road team at 42-34 as opposed to 37-42 at home, but it has struggled at 19-28 within the NL Central.

Pirates at Reds projected starters

LHP Bailey Falter vs. RHP Connor Phillips

Falter (2-9, 4.58 ERA) makes his 14th start and 18th appearance. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 78 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 1 IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K Tuesday against Chicago Cubs
• 2 career starts vs. Reds: 0-1, 5.59 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 6 K in 9 2/3 IP

Phillips (1-0, 5.74 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 through 15 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K Monday against Minnesota Twins
• Is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 in 2 home starts