The set-up: The Pirates got a much-needed 4-3 win last night over the Cards, ending a eight-game losing slide. Pittsburgh can now work at getting get back above .500 with a strong weekend performance against the 58-71 Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates open this four-game series with the visiting Reds 4 1/2 games back of the NL's second wild card spot, currently being held by the 73-65 Cards and the 74-66 Mets (those teams are in a virtual tie with winning percentages of .529). Cincinnati has lost four in a row and eight of 10 coming in and has been basically playing out the current season for quite awhile now.

The pitching matchup: Dan Straily (11-7, 3.83 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds and Ivan Nova (11-6, 4.34 ERA ) does so for the Pirates. Straily is unquestionably 2016's most "under the radar" starting pitcher. Straily has already made a career-high 29 appearances and makes his career-high tying 27th start in this game. It's likely that not many realize that Straily takes the mound tonight with MLB's third-best moneyline mark among starters (plus-$1355), as the Reds are 17-9 in his 26 starts so far in 2016. Nova owns 11 overall wins in 2016 but since being acquired by the Pirates from the Yankees is 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his six starts with since August 1 (Pittsburgh is 5-1 in his starts).

The pick: Yes, Straily has had a remarkable season but he has struggled in his last two outings, allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings at the Los Angeles Angels before walking seven but letting up just one run in 5 2/3 innings to defeat St. Louis. The Pirates did lose for the first time in Nova's six starts with the team this past Saturday, although he allowed just two runs in six innings. The Pirates need a strong weekend and the Reds, just 23-44 on the road on the season, may be "just what the doctor ordered." The Pirates are an 8* play.