Game 5: Pirates @ Reds 04.09.16

Gerrit Cole makes his 2016 regular season debut this afternoon in Cincinnati.
First pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM EDT.
Game Preview:
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"Pirates-Reds Preview
Pittsburgh
Pirates
4-0
1:10 PM ET
Line: PIT -135
Cincinnati
Reds
3-1
PIT: Cole CIN: Iglesias (0-0 , 3.00 ERA)
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12:36 AM ET
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have their eyes on a National League Central title this season. The continued progression of ace Gerrit Cole is a big reason why.
The electric right-hander makes his season debut Saturday when the Pirates continue their three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Cole was limited this spring with a rib injury that also kept him out of the Pirates' season-opening series with St. Louis, but the former No. 1 overall pick is ready to follow up the best season of his young career.
The 25-year-old Cole finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award balloting after going 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA in 2015. He also struck out 202 batters -- good for 10th in the NL -- over 208 innings.
However, Cole did not pitch well in Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to Chicago, as he allowed four runs and six hits over five innings.
No team, though, has had more success versus Cole than the Reds (3-1). Cole is 0-4 with a 5.23 ERA against them in six starts. Cincinnati beat him three times in four starts a year ago, as Cole finished with a 5.95 ERA after surrendering 13 earned runs in 19 2/3 innings.
Cole has had a particularly tough time handling Brandon Phillips, who is 6 for 14 lifetime in their matchups.
Pittsburgh has a chance to open 5-0 for the first time since 1983 after rallying to defeat Cincinnati 6-5 in the series opener Friday night on Sterling Marte's first career grand slam in the eighth inning. J.J. Hoover -- in his first opportunity since replacing departed closer Aroldis Chapman -- served up the homer that led to the Reds' first loss.
"It was just a slider that hung up," said Hoover, who was only 1 of 7 in save chances last year when Chapman was unavailable. "I didn't execute that pitch to the best of my ability and he got it."
Marte's homer was the first by the Pirates this season.
"We talked about it before he went up, that it would be a good time for the first home run as a team," shortstop Jordy Mercer said. "We started screaming. Everybody in the dugout was yelling."
Before Marte's homer, the Pirates were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.
Heading to the hill for the Reds on Saturday will be righty Raisel Iglesias (0-0, 3.00 ERA), who pitched well without getting a decision on opening day. Despite allowing the leadoff hitter to hit safely in four of his six innings, Iglesiasonly allowed two runs and six hits. He also struck out seven without issuing a walk.
"He made big pitches and gave us six innings, when at times it looked like it would be a challenge to get through four with his pitch count," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He clutched up for us big time there and got us throughsix."
Iglesias is 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA lifetime against the Pirates, giving up seven runs and 10 hits in 9 2/3 innings.
Pittsburgh has won five of its last six against the Reds."