Venue: PNC Park — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio / SportsNet Pittsburgh / MLB.tv
WEATHER REPORT — PITTSBURGH
Temperature: 63–66°F at first pitch
Wind: 6–9 mph blowing out to right‑center
Sky: Mostly clear
Impact: Slight boost for left‑handed power hitters; neutral for pitchers
INJURY REPORT
Cincinnati Reds
Hunter Greene — day‑to‑day (shoulder fatigue)
Matt McLain — IL (oblique)
TJ Friedl — IL (wrist)
Nick Lodolo — IL (forearm)
Brandon Williamson — IL (shoulder)
Cincinnati’s rotation depth is stretched, but the lineup remains strong.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Oneil Cruz — day‑to‑day (hamstring tightness)
Ke’Bryan Hayes — IL (back)
Marco Gonzales — IL (forearm)
Luis Ortiz — IL (elbow)
Pittsburgh’s infield is thin without Hayes, but the outfield and bullpen are healthy.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
Cincinnati — RHP Graham Ashcraft (3–1, 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)
Ashcraft has been solid, mixing cutter/sinker combos effectively. Road ERA is slightly higher, but he’s limiting hard contact.
Pittsburgh — RHP Mitch Keller (2–2, 4.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)
Keller remains inconsistent but flashes ace‑level outings. His strikeout rate is up, but command lapses lead to big innings.
Pitching Edge: Slight to Cincinnati (Ashcraft more consistent).
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Cincinnati Reds (20–12)
Last 10: 7–3
Road record: 9–6
Runs per game last 10: 5.2
Team ERA last 10: 3.91
Cincinnati is one of the hottest teams in the NL, powered by a deep lineup and improved bullpen.
Pittsburgh Pirates (17–16)
Last 10: 5–5
Home record: 8–7
Runs per game last 10: 4.3
Team ERA last 10: 4.47
Pittsburgh is hovering around .500, competitive but inconsistent.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. Elly De La Cruz (CIN) vs. Mitch Keller
De La Cruz is hitting .298 with 5 HR and 9 SB over his last 12 games.
Keller struggles vs. high‑velocity fastball hitters. Micro‑edge: De La Cruz
2. Spencer Steer (CIN) vs. Pirates Bullpen
Steer leads the Reds in RBI and thrives in late‑inning situations.
Pirates bullpen has a 4.21 ERA in the last 10 games. Micro‑edge: Steer
3. Bryan Reynolds (PIT) vs. Graham Ashcraft
Reynolds is hitting .333 with 3 HR in his last 10.
Ashcraft’s cutter can be vulnerable to switch‑hitters. Micro‑edge: Reynolds
4. Oneil Cruz (PIT) vs. Reds Left‑Side Defense
If active, Cruz’s power/speed combo is a major threat.
Reds’ 3B/SS defense has been average without McLain. Micro‑edge: Cruz (if he plays)
SERIES HISTORY
2025–26 Season Series: Reds lead 1–0 (CIN won 5–2 on May 1)
Last 10 meetings: Reds lead 6–4
At PNC Park: Reds 4–3 in last 7
Cincinnati has quietly controlled this matchup recently.
BETTING TRENDS
Cincinnati Reds
7–3 last 10
5–1 in last 6 road games
Over is 6–4 in last 10
4–1 in last 5 vs. NL Central
Pittsburgh Pirates
5–5 last 10
3–4 in last 7 home games
Under is 6–3–1 in last 10
2–5 in last 7 vs. NL Central
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 8
Pittsburgh Pirates – 141
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026
