MLB Game Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (5-9) vs. Cincinnati Reds (6-8)

Date and Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 6:40 PM ET
Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Team Overview:

• Pittsburgh Pirates (5-9): The Pirates have had a tough start to the season, sitting near the bottom of the NL Central standings. Their offense has struggled, ranking 25th in MLB with nine home runs and a .194 team batting average. However, Joey Bart has been a bright spot, delivering clutch hits, including a walk-off single in their recent series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates’ pitching staff has been inconsistent, with Bailey Falter allowing seven earned runs in his last outing.
• Cincinnati Reds (6-8): The Reds have been slightly more consistent, sitting just above the Pirates in the NL Central standings. Their offense has shown flashes of power, ranking 16th in MLB with 13 home runs. Jeimer Candelario has been a key contributor, hitting a home run in the series opener against Pittsburgh. The Reds’ pitching staff has been solid, with Brady Singer delivering a strong performance in the opener.

Pitching Matchup:

• Pirates: Andrew Heaney (0-1, 8.10 ERA) will take the mound for Pittsburgh. Heaney has had a mixed start to the season, allowing seven earned runs in his last outing but delivering a stellar performance with 10 strikeouts in his previous start. He will need to find consistency to keep Cincinnati’s hitters in check.
• Reds: Andrew Abbott will start for Cincinnati. Abbott is making his season debut after returning from the injured list. He has a career ERA of 3.78 and will look to make an impact against Pittsburgh’s struggling lineup.

Key Storylines:

1. Pirates’ Offensive Struggles: Pittsburgh’s lineup has struggled to generate consistent offense, ranking near the bottom in several key categories. They will need players like Joey Bart and Oneil Cruz to step up against Cincinnati’s pitching staff.
2. Reds’ Home Advantage: Cincinnati has a slight edge at home, with Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer leading their offense. They will look to capitalize on Pittsburgh’s pitching inconsistencies.
3. Head-to-Head: The Reds won the series opener 5-3, with Brady Singer earning the win and Jeimer Candelario providing key offensive contributions. The Pirates will aim to bounce back and even the series.

Pittsburgh Pirates                            8.5

Cincinnati Reds                                 – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 11, 2025