The 26-20 Pittsburgh Pirates look to snap a three-game losing streak heading into Tuesday's opener of a three-game series against the 16-32 Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates' recent slump has seen them fall to fourth in the NL Central but in this tightly-bunched division, Pittsburgh is still only two games back of the first-place Brewers. The Reds have played much better since firing manager Bryan Price but after losing three of four versus the Chicago Cubs over the weekend (were outscored 16-1 over the final two games of a series), the Reds have lost touch with the other four teams in their division (sit 13 games back). The Pirates took three of four from the Reds back on April 5-8 at PNC Park and open this series 11-11 on the road in 2018, while the Reds are just 7-18 at home, so far.

The pitching matchup: Jameson Taillon (2-3, 3.97 ERA) will take the mound for Pittsburgh, while Matt Harvey (0-2, 6.17 ERA) makes his third start for Cincy, after joining the Reds from the Mets. Taillon saw his winless skid extend to seven outings (he is 0-3 and the team is 3-4) on Wednesday, after allowing a pair of solo HRs and three walks over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox. Taillon is 2-2 with a 4.23 ERA in eight career starts against the Reds (giving up 47 hits in 44 2/3 innings) but did strike out seven as Pittsburgh breezed to a 5-0 romp of Cincinnati back on April 8, of this season. Harvey has worked a pair of four-inning outings since being acquired from the New York Mets but saw his run of no-decisions extend to six on Wednesday after allowing three runs on seven hits at San Francisco (note: last four appearances for the Mets were relief stints). "It's been a while since I've felt stronger throughout a game, so getting up toward 80 pitches and still feeling strong and noticing the ball coming out the way it was it's definitely a big positive," Harvey told reporters. Harvey is 1-1 in five career meetings with Pittsburgh but owns a 5.46 ERA.

The pick: The Reds are a poor home team (7-18, minus-$1098) and own a 4-18 record versus NL Central rivals. In contrast, the Pirates sport a 10-3 mark against NL Central foes. Sure, Taillon hasn't gotten a decision in seven consecutive starts but he comes into this contest with a 1.98 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this month. Pittsburgh won three of four against Cincinnati back in early April by a 28-12 margin and I'll make them a 10* in the series opener, tonight.