We can note that Pittsburgh had scored just 11 runs through a 4-game losing streak before breaking out to beat the Reds 5-4 on Wednesday. Cincinnati right-hander Luis Castillo (3-4, 5.61 ERA) has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his ast four starts and held the Cubs to one run through five frames his last time out. Pittsburgh right-hander Ivan Nova (2-4, 4.79 ERA) has struggled of late but he held San Diego to a pair of runs through six innings his last time out and has a 3.34 ERA in five day starts on the season.

Pittsburgh is 4-1 in its last five road games and 5-1 in its last six games with umpire Andy Fletcher calling the balls and strikes.

8* play on Pittsburgh Pirates.