Pirates prep for pivotal series with Reds in Cincinnati

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

With 22 victories somewhere between now and the end of the regular season, the Prates will secure their first winning season since 1992.

That’s all well and good, of course. That streak is not one they are proud of, and is one that needed to end sooner rather than later.

But Pittsburgh is after much more this season. Under second-year manager Clint Hurdle, the Pirates are 60-44, in second place in the National League Central and just might be able to snare a playoff berth for the first time since that same 1992 season.

The Pirates can take a big step this weekend in Cincinnati. They will play the first-place Reds (64-41), who hold a 3 1/2 game advantage over Pittsburgh, in a battle of two of the NL’s more impressive teams this season. Cincinnati has won nine of its last 10 games, and three in a row. Pittsburgh has won six of their last eight.

“We don’t worry about them. We’re just worrying about ourselves. We can’t afford to lose focus against anybody. We know what we’re trying to do here with this ballclub,” Cincinnati outfielder Ryan Ludwick said. “We can’t worry about those other teams. We just have to worry about ourselves.”

Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker isn’t so sure. He, too, is confident in his club, but acknowledges Pittsburgh’s presence in the standings, as well.

“Everyone,” he said, “in our division is winning.”

The Pirates went 17 -9 in July, and opened August with an 8-4 win over the Cubs on Wednesday.