The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates face off in a National League Central matchup on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Reds enter the game riding a four-game winning streak, while the Pirates are looking to snap a four-game losing skid.
Game Details
- Matchup: Cincinnati Reds (25-24) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (15-33)
- Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
- Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV Broadcast: ESPN
Team Breakdown
Cincinnati Reds (25-24, 3rd in NL Central)
The Reds have been red-hot, sweeping the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend to reach the .500 mark. Elly De La Cruz has been a standout performer, hitting .246 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs, while Will Benson has been on fire, going 12-for-30 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.
Cincinnati’s pitching staff has been solid, ranking 10th in MLB in ERA and 5th in opponent batting average. Nick Lodolo (3-4, 3.42 ERA) will take the mound, looking to bounce back after allowing three earned runs in 5.1 innings against the White Sox.
Pittsburgh Pirates (15-33, 5th in NL Central)
The Pirates have struggled offensively, scoring four or fewer runs in 23 straight games, the longest such streak in franchise history. Bryan Reynolds has been a bright spot, hitting five doubles and six home runs, while Alexander Canario has gone 12-for-33 with three doubles and two home runs in his last 10 games.
Pittsburgh’s pitching rotation has been solid despite the team’s struggles, with Paul Skenes delivering an eight-inning gem in his last start. However, the Pirates failed to score and suffered their MLB-leading eighth shutout loss of the season. Mitch Keller (1-5, 4.15 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh, hoping to turn things around after a seven-inning, two-run performance in his last outing.
Key Matchups
Elly De La Cruz vs. Pirates’ Pitching
- De La Cruz has been a force at the plate and on the basepaths, ranking second in MLB with 16 stolen bases.
- The Pirates must limit his power and speed to stay competitive.
Will Benson vs. Mitch Keller
- Benson has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, with five home runs in his last four games.
- Keller must find a way to neutralize Benson’s bat early.
Pirates’ Offense vs. Lodolo’s Command
- Pittsburgh has struggled to score, but Lodolo has been inconsistent in recent starts.
- If the Pirates can capitalize on Lodolo’s mistakes, they could keep the game close.
Game Outlook
Cincinnati enters as the clear favorite, given their strong offensive form and Pittsburgh’s scoring struggles. If the Reds continue their hot streak, they should secure another win. However, if Keller delivers a strong outing and the Pirates find a way to generate runs, they could pull off an upset.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds – 135
Pittsburgh Pirates 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, May 19, 2025
