Both Pirates and Reds fans will get a treat tonight

Pirates and Reds fans probably won't get to see one of the epic battles that they were graced with in the 1970s between the Lumber Company and the Big Red Machine but both sets of fans will get a treat.

For Pirates fans, it's the return of shortstop Jack Wilson (my favorite Bucco). This will make a big difference for the Pittsburgh infield defense that has been atrocious since Jack's departure to the DL. Pittsburgh shortstops (not Jack) have made 13 errors in 47 games. The Pirates also have the third-worst field percentage in the NL (.977). This is a team that (with Jack) has had one of the best defenses in baseball for the past couple of years! The Pirates are on a roll and have an aura of confidence around them they Bucs fans haven't seen in years.

Reds fans will be treated to the long-awaited arrival of Jay Bruce. Bruce should have been playing in Cincy all year but with Corey Patterson not getting it done along with the fact that Bruce is tearing up the International League, the Reds think it's finally time. I'm hoping that Patterson is DFA but I've got I feeling that it's going to be Scott Hatteberg instead.

There seems to be some good pitching matchups for the series (at least on paper). Tonight it's Cueto vs. Snell; Wednesday, Arroyo vs. Gorzo; and Thursday, Harang vs. Duke.

Being both a Reds and a Pirates fan these times are both exciting and dreadful for me. Usually I end up rooting for the team that needs the win most and this time I think it's the Pirates. They have a great chance to made up some ground in the division and make a run at their first winning season since 1992. With Jack back the defense is bound to get better. The Reds do need a good series too considering they had a horrible west coast road trip (typical).

I'm a little disappointed that I won't get to listen to tonight's game. I'm going to see the Royals play the Twins tonight at Kauffman Stadium (and then I'll be going back on Saturday to see the Tribe). I think I'll wear my Roberto Clemente jersey tonight... for some reason that's my de facto jersey.