MLB Game Preview: Cincinnati Reds (60-55) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (49-66)

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Pittsburgh Pirates logo

Game Details

  • Time: 6:40 PM ET
  • Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Broadcast: MLBN, FDSNOH, SNP
  • Streaming: MLB.tv, NBC Sports App

Matchup Overview

Cincinnati visits Pittsburgh to kick off a four-game NL Central showdown. The Reds lead the season series 4–2 and are fighting to stay in the wild-card race, while the Pirates aim to rebound after dropping four of their last six games.

Starting Pitchers

TeamPitcherRecordERAWHIPStrikeouts
Cincinnati RedsBrady Singer9–84.361.30111
Pittsburgh PiratesPaul Skenes6–82.020.92154
  • Singer is coming off two stellar outings, including 10 strikeouts vs. Atlanta and six shutout innings vs. the Braves.
  • Skenes, a Cy Young contender, has held opponents to a .187 AVG and leads all qualified NL starters in ERA.

Team Trends & Stats

CategoryRedsPirates
Overall Record60–5549–66
Road/Home Record27–29 (Road)32–27 (Home)
Last 10 Games5–56–4
Team Batting Avg.226.261
Team ERA3.805.25
Season SeriesReds lead 4–2Pirates trail 2–4

Both teams have been competitive lately, but Cincinnati’s pitching edge could be decisive.

Key Players to Watch

Cincinnati Reds

  • Elly De La Cruz: .279 AVG, 19 HR, 73 RBI – team leader in all three categories
  • TJ Friedl: .275 AVG, 16 doubles, 10 HR – 13-for-36 over last 10 games
  • Spencer Steer: .236 AVG, 13 HR, 15 doubles – consistent middle-order bat

Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Oneil Cruz: 18 HR, 48 RBI – team leader in power, though hitting just .208
  • Andrew McCutchen: .249 AVG, 11 HR – batting .286 over last 5 games
  • Isiah Kiner-Falefa: .270 AVG – team leader in batting average, hitting .350 over last 5 games

Betting Insights

  • Pirates have hit the Over in 6 of their last 10 games
  • Reds are 6–4 ATS over their last 10 games
  • Skenes has dominated the Reds historically, going 3–0 with a 0.53 ERA in three starts last season

Injury Report

Pittsburgh Pirates:

  • Chase Shugart (Knee) – 15-Day IL
  • Endy Rodriguez, Enmanuel Valdez, Justin Lawrence, Tim Mayza, Jared Jones – 60-Day IL

Cincinnati Reds:

  • Nick Lodolo, Ian Gibaut, Hunter Greene – 15-Day IL
  • Wade Miley, Rhett Lowder, Carson Spiers, Tyler Callihan, Brandon Williamson, Julian Aguiar – 60-Day IL

Game Odds

Cincinnati Reds                 7

Pittsburgh Pirates            – 176

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 6, 2025