Scheduled First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. EDT
Venue: Great American Ball Park — Cincinnati, Ohio
Surface: Natural Grass
Capacity: ~42,000
Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh / Bally Sports Ohio
Weather Forecast — Cincinnati, OH
Temperature: 84°F at first pitch
Wind: 8–12 mph blowing out to left‑center
Humidity: ~65%
Conditions: Partly cloudy Impact: Great American Ball Park is already one of MLB’s most HR‑friendly parks; wind blowing out increases run‑scoring volatility.
Probable Pitchers
Pirates — RHP Paul Skenes
2026 Season: 9–5, 3.21 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
Profile: Power right‑hander with elite fastball/slider combo
Strengths: High strikeout rate, dominates right‑handed hitters, elite velocity
Weaknesses: Occasional HR susceptibility when fastball stays elevated
Matchup Note: Reds’ lineup has several right‑handed bats who struggle vs high velocity.
Reds — RHP Hunter Greene
2026 Season: 7–7, 3.74 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Profile: Electric fastball, improved slider, high strikeout upside
Strengths: Generates whiffs at top‑tier rates; overpowering when ahead in counts
Weaknesses: HR‑prone in Cincinnati; command inconsistencies lead to high pitch counts
Matchup Note: Pirates’ left‑handed bats (Cruz, Reynolds) match up well vs Greene’s fastball‑heavy approach.
Current Rosters (Key Starters & Regulars)
(Reflecting 2026 active rosters as of July 31)
Pirates Lineup Core
SS Oneil Cruz
CF Bryan Reynolds
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
1B Rowdy Tellez
RF Henry Davis
LF Jack Suwinski
2B Nick Gonzales
C Endy Rodríguez
DH Connor Joe
Reds Lineup Core
SS Elly De La Cruz
1B Christian Encarnacion‑Strand
CF TJ Friedl
LF Spencer Steer
RF Jake Fraley
3B Noelvi Marte
2B Jonathan India
C Tyler Stephenson
DH Will Benson
Injury Report
Pirates
Mitch Keller — IL (shoulder)
David Bednar — IL (forearm)
Andrew McCutchen — IL (knee)
Luis Ortiz — IL (lat strain)
Reds
Nick Lodolo — IL (back)
Brandon Williamson — IL (elbow)
Matt McLain — IL (shoulder)
Luke Maile — IL (hamstring)
Recent Team Form
Pirates — Last 10 Games: 5–5
Offense inconsistent (4.1 runs/game)
Skenes has been dominant in July (1.98 ERA)
Bullpen shaky without Bednar
Reds — Last 10 Games: 4–6
Offense slumping (3.7 runs/game)
Greene strong in last three starts (2.70 ERA)
Defense has been an issue (8 errors in last 10 games)
Series History (Last 10 Meetings)
Pirates lead 6–4
Skenes has faced Cincinnati twice: 1.50 ERA, 18 K in 12 IP
Greene vs Pittsburgh: 4.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Great American Ball Park games between these teams tend to be high‑scoring due to park factors.
Key Player Matchups
1. Paul Skenes vs Elly De La Cruz
De La Cruz struggles vs elite velocity up in the zone
Skenes’ fastball is a nightmare matchup Edge: Skenes
2. Hunter Greene vs Oneil Cruz
Cruz crushes high fastballs; Greene lives up in the zone
Cruz career vs 97+ mph: .310 AVG / .590 SLG Edge: Cruz
3. Bryan Reynolds vs Greene’s Slider
Reynolds is one of MLB’s best low‑ball hitters
Greene’s slider often finishes low Edge: Reynolds
4. Encarnacion‑Strand vs Skenes’ Slider
CES struggles vs high‑spin breaking balls
Skenes’ slider is elite Edge: Skenes
Betting Trends
Pirates Trends
Skenes starts: Pirates are 11–4
Pirates unders hit 60% in Skenes road starts
Cruz has hit safely in 8 of last 10 games
Reds Trends
Greene starts: Reds are 8–12
Reds overs hit 58% at home
De La Cruz has 4 HR in last 12 home games
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates – 125
Cincinnati Reds 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, July 30, 2026
