Reds-Pirates Game 3 Preview

When the Reds and Pirates meet again later tonight

Apr 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (31) pitches during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

in game 3 of their four game set, the Pirates bats are in for another potential long night at the plate as they will face one of baseball’s hottest surprising  starters in Alfredo Simon. A long reliever from the bullpen, is the replacment in the roation for  Mat Latos, who has been on the disabled list, Simon brings a crazy 0.86 ERA after three excellent starts that is third best in the National League.

Opponents are batting only .173 vs. Simon, which is fifth best in the NL. Simon’s acquisition was a smaller move for the Reds. He was claimed off of waivers from the Orioles on the eve of Opening Day 2012.

“I know that he was a waiver-claim guy for us, and I think he pitched in 36 games in 2012 for us out of the bullpen and about 60 last year, but he has been remarkable,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He’s wanted more opportunity, we’ve given that to him. I think it was a good idea that we brought him into camp in case we had an injury or didn’t have the depth, and our good fortune is that he came in ready to go and had a great spring and is off to a good start.”

He will try to duplicate Johnny Cueto’s complete game mastery, that he did to the Pirates last night in a Reds 4-1 victory, where he allowed three hits, three walks and struck out three.

Simon will face off against the Pirates Charlie Morton. First pitch is at 7:05pm, TV: FSN OHIO, RADIO: 700 WLW.

Reds third baseman Todd Frazier is 6-for-11 in his last three games and reached safely eight times. He also remains the team leader with four home runs.

A hot-hitting Frazier could be particularly problematic for Pirates starter Charlie Morton on Wednesday. Although a small sample size, Frazier is 5-for-9 (.556) with two doubles and one home run against Morton lifetime.