PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET / 4:05 PM PT
Broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio / SportsNet Pittsburgh / MLB.tv
Probable Pitchers:
- CIN — LHP Andrew Abbott (4–6, 4.08 ERA)
- PIT — RHP Paul Skenes (7–3, 2.71 ERA)
Venue Information — PNC Park
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Capacity: ~38,700
- Dimensions: LF 325 ft, CF 399 ft, RF 320 ft
- Ballpark Tendencies:
- Boosts left‑handed power to right field
- Suppresses home runs to center
- Excellent park for pitchers with fly‑ball tendencies
Weather Forecast (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Temperature: 76°F at first pitch
- Wind: 6 mph blowing out to right‑center
- Humidity: 64%
- Conditions: Clear, mild summer evening Impact: Slight boost to left‑handed pull hitters; otherwise neutral.
Injury Report
Cincinnati Reds
- Elly De La Cruz — ACTIVE (rest day Thursday)
- Matt McLain — OUT (shoulder surgery)
- TJ Friedl — DAY‑TO‑DAY (hamstring tightness)
- Nick Lodolo — OUT (forearm strain)
- Alexis Díaz — OUT (elbow inflammation)
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz — ACTIVE (ankle soreness monitored)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes — OUT (back tightness, 10‑day IL)
- Rowdy Tellez — DAY‑TO‑DAY (wrist bruise)
- David Bednar — OUT (lat strain)
- Marco Gonzales — OUT (shoulder rehab)
Team Records & Recent Form
Cincinnati Reds (37–42)
- Last 10: 4–6
- Road Record: 17–23
- Run Differential: –21
- Trend: Offense inconsistent; bullpen struggling without Díaz.
Pittsburgh Pirates (41–40)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Home Record: 22–18
- Run Differential: +9
- Trend: Rotation strong; offense streaky but improving.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Andrew Abbott — LHP, Reds
2026 Stats: 4–6, 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 78 K in 82 IP
Strengths
- Good fastball/curveball mix
- Generates soft contact
- Effective vs. left‑handed hitters
- Strong road performances this season
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to right‑handed power
- Occasional command issues
- Pirates’ lineup has several right‑handed fastball hitters
Matchup vs. Pirates
- Pittsburgh ranks top‑10 vs. left‑handed pitching
- Abbott must avoid middle‑in to Cruz, Suwinski, and Reynolds
- Needs to keep pitch count low to avoid exposing Reds’ bullpen
Paul Skenes — RHP, Pirates
2026 Stats: 7–3, 2.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 112 K in 93 IP
Strengths
- Triple‑digit fastball
- Devastating slider generating 40% whiffs
- Excellent command for a power pitcher
- Dominant home splits
Weaknesses
- Occasionally homer‑prone when behind in counts
- Reds’ lineup has several strong fastball hitters
- Must manage workload as season progresses
Matchup vs. Reds
- Cincinnati ranks bottom‑10 vs. elite velocity
- Skenes’ slider should neutralize De La Cruz and India
- If command is sharp, he can dominate
Key Player Matchups
Elly De La Cruz (CIN) vs. Skenes
- Elite bat speed but struggles vs. high‑spin sliders
- Skenes’ pitch mix is a tough matchup Edge: Skenes
Spencer Steer (CIN) vs. RHP
- Good vs. fastballs
- Must stay disciplined vs. slider Edge: Even
Bryan Reynolds (PIT) vs. Abbott
- Excellent vs. left‑handed pitching
- Abbott must avoid middle‑away fastballs Edge: Reynolds
Oneil Cruz (PIT) vs. LHP
- Massive power vs. lefties
- Abbott’s curveball must be sharp Edge: Cruz
Series History
2024–2026 Combined
- Pirates lead 15–13
- Pittsburgh has won 6 of last 9 at PNC Park
- Average total runs: 8.3 per game
2026 Season Series
- Pirates lead 2–1
- Skenes threw 7 scoreless innings vs. CIN in April
Betting Trends
Cincinnati Reds
- 6 of last 9: OVER
- 2–6 in last 8 road games
- 1–5 in Abbott’s last 6 starts
- 3–10 last 13 vs. teams above .500
Pittsburgh Pirates
- 7 of last 10: UNDER
- 6–1 in Skenes’ last 7 starts
- 5–2 last 7 home games
- 8–3 last 11 vs. NL Central
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 7.5
Pittsburgh Pirates – 185
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 25, 2026
