Lowder, Mlodzinski Pitch Reds-Pirates Toward Under

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder faces Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski in Saturday's matchup at Pittsburgh. Both pitchers perform better in these conditions, with Lowder excelling on the road and Mlodzinski at home. The preview favors the under total runs.

The Reds hold one of baseball's top records this season after reaching the postseason last year despite minimal offseason activity. They have excelled away from Great American Ball Park. Pittsburgh sits near .500, matching last year's pace, but enters after dropping five straight games, including one to the Brewers and four to the Cardinals.

Lowder enters 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over six starts. His road ERA trails his home mark by a full run, with five earned runs allowed in 17.1 road innings; four came in one outing against the Marlins. Pittsburgh hitters are 2-for-11 lifetime against him. Mlodzinski stands 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He posted a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 road innings while allowing two earned runs, and delivered six scoreless innings with two hits and two walks in his lone home start. Reds batters have three hits in 27 career at-bats against him.

Pittsburgh surrendered 35 runs while scoring 18 during its skid, averaging 7.0 allowed and 3.6 scored per game. Both clubs have featured higher-scoring contests lately, but these pitchers' form points to a tighter affair.