The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates square off in a National League Central showdown on Monday, May 19, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Reds enter the matchup riding a four-game winning streak, while the Pirates are looking to snap a three-game losing skid.
Cincinnati Reds (24-24)
The Reds are coming off a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians, capped by a 3-1 victory on Sunday. Andrew Abbott delivered a stellar performance, throwing five shutout innings, while Will Benson continued his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs.
Cincinnati has dominated Pittsburgh this season, sweeping their first three-game series in April by a combined score of 14-5. The Reds’ offense has been fueled by Elly De La Cruz, who leads the team with eight home runs and 31 RBIs, and Gavin Lux, who boasts a .291 batting average.
Pittsburgh Pirates (15-32)
The Pirates return home after being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, including a 1-0 loss on Sunday despite a nine-strikeout performance from Paul Skenes. Pittsburgh has struggled offensively, ranking 29th in MLB in home runs (33) and hitting just .217 as a team.
Oneil Cruz has been a bright spot, tallying five doubles, eight home runs, and 18 RBIs, while Alexander Canario has been productive over the last 10 games, hitting .344 with two home runs. However, the Pirates will need more consistency from their lineup to compete with Cincinnati’s surging offense.
Starting Pitchers
- Reds: Nick Lodolo (3-4, 3.42 ERA) – Lodolo has struggled in recent outings, allowing 22 hits and 12 runs over his last three starts. However, he has performed better on the road, making this a favorable matchup.
- Pirates: Mitch Keller (1-5, 4.15 ERA) – Keller has not won a start in over a month, surrendering 18 runs over his last six outings. He will need to limit Cincinnati’s power hitters to keep Pittsburgh in the game.
Key Matchups
- Elly De La Cruz vs. Pirates’ pitching – De La Cruz has been a force at the plate, and Pittsburgh’s struggling rotation will have a tough time containing him.
- Will Benson vs. Mitch Keller – Benson has homered in four consecutive games, making him a major threat against Keller’s inconsistent pitching.
- Oneil Cruz vs. Nick Lodolo – Cruz is Pittsburgh’s best offensive weapon, and Lodolo must keep him off balance to avoid big innings.
Game Outlook
The Reds have momentum on their side, while the Pirates are searching for answers. Cincinnati’s offense has been clicking, and their pitching staff has been solid, ranking 10th in MLB with a 3.59 ERA. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has struggled both offensively and defensively, making this a tough matchup for them.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds – 115
Pittsburgh Pirates 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, May 18, 2025
