The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Great American Ball Park to take on the Cincinnati Reds. Pittsburgh is riding a three-game winning streak, improving their record to 68-89 and currently sitting in fifth place in the NL Central. The Pirates have struggled on the road this season with a 24-52 record.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds, with a record of 80-77, are holding onto the third spot in the NL Central. Despite a recent 4-2 loss to the Pirates, the Reds have a decent home record of 44-35 and are looking to bounce back from their one-game losing streak. Manager Terry Francona and his team have performed well in their last ten games, going 6-4.
Fans attending the game should anticipate a mild evening with light rain expected. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM local time and will be broadcast on SN PT. Both teams will aim to solidify their standing in the NL Central division as the regular season draws to a close.
Reds vs Pirates At a Glance
- Game Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 6:40 PM
- Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates (68-89) vs. Cincinnati Reds (80-77)
- Stadium: Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH
- Weather: Mild day with light rain expected
- TV Coverage: Available on SN PT
- Game Odds: Pirates +100, Reds -118; Over/Under at 7.0 runs
Can the Reds Overcome the Pirates’ Pitching Prowess?
Team Overview
The Cincinnati Reds are gearing up for a crucial game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a 51.0% win rate overall, the Reds are determined to improve their position in the playoff race. The team has a strong track record when playing at home, boasting a 55.7% win rate at Great American Ball Park.
Despite their recent loss to the Pirates, the Reds have shown resilience with a 4-1 record in their last five games. This upcoming game is vital, not only for playoff implications but also to regain momentum after their previous setback.
Key Players to Watch
Elly De La Cruz remains a pivotal player for the Reds, with a batting average of .266 and a team-leading 21 home runs. His recent two-run homer against the Pirates was a testament to his ability to deliver under pressure.
Spencer Steer is another player to keep an eye on, with 21 home runs and a .418 slugging percentage. His performance can significantly impact the Reds’ offensive output in this game.
Pitching Matchup
Hunter Greene will start for the Reds, bringing a solid 2.74 ERA and a WHIP of 0.93. His performance will be crucial in countering the Pirates’ lineup, especially given the significance of this game.
On the mound for the Pirates is Paul Skenes, who boasts a stellar 2.03 ERA. The Reds will need to navigate his pitching carefully to maximize their scoring opportunities.
Betting Trends
- Straight Up (SU) in Home Games: 44-35 (55.7%)
- SU vs Division Opponents: 35-30 (53.8%)
- Runline as Underdog: 53-34 (60.9%)
- O/U All Games: 58-99 (36.9%)
- O/U in Home Games: 26-53 (32.9%)
Game Strategy
The Reds must capitalize on their home advantage, focusing on improving their run-scoring capabilities. With Hunter Greene on the mound, keeping the Pirates’ hitters in check will be vital.
Offensively, the Reds should aim to disrupt Paul Skenes’ rhythm early in the game. Drawing walks and increasing pressure on the Pirates’ defense could prove effective in creating scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
This game presents a critical opportunity for the Reds to strengthen their playoff aspirations. With strong performances from key players like Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer, the Reds have the potential to overcome their recent challenges.
Fans at Great American Ball Park will be eager to see their team bounce back, making this an exciting matchup in the Reds’ pursuit of a postseason berth.
Can the Pirates Navigate the Reds Waters Successfully?
Offensive Performance
The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a batting average of .231, ranking 20th in the league. Their on-base percentage is also .304, placing them in the same 20th position. Slugging percentage tells a similar story, with the Pirates at .350, which is the 26th spot in the rankings.
In terms of power hitting, the Pirates have managed to hit 113 home runs, ranking them 26th overall. They’ve had better luck with doubles, hitting 236, which places them at 20th. The team has shown a strong ability to draw walks, with 515 walks this season, landing them in the 11th spot.
Base Running and Strikeouts
The Pirates have been fairly aggressive on the base paths, tallying 112 stolen bases, which ranks 15th in the league. This indicates a balanced approach between power and speed. However, they have struggled with strikeouts, with a total of 1,371, ranking 23rd.
Oneil Cruz has been a standout on the base paths, leading the National League with 38 stolen bases. Despite this, Cruz has also struggled at the plate, hitting just .203 with an OPS under .700.
Pitching Strengths
The Pirates’ pitching staff has posted an impressive earned run average (ERA) of 3.81, ranking 7th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents’ batting average is also noteworthy, as they hold opposing hitters to a .235 average, the 5th best in the league.
One of their strongest attributes is their control of the long ball, having given up 148 home runs, the 3rd fewest in the league. They’ve also secured 53 quality starts, demonstrating consistency in their starting rotation.
Player Focus: Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes will be taking the mound for the Pirates, boasting a 10-10 record with an impressive 2.03 ERA. His WHIP stands at a stellar 0.96, indicating his ability to limit base runners effectively.
Skenes’ performance will be crucial as he faces off against the Reds’ Hunter Greene, who has been equally formidable with a 2.74 ERA. This pitching duel could be the key factor in determining the outcome of the game.
Betting Trends for the Pirates
- SU Last 3 Games: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 45-66 (40.5%)
- Runline as Underdog: 64-47 (57.7%)
- O/U All Games: 62-95 (39.5%)
Reds vs Pirates Prediction: Under 7.0
The matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates presents a compelling case for a low-scoring game. Both starting pitchers, Paul Skenes (2.03 ERA) for the Pirates and Hunter Greene (2.74 ERA) for the Reds, have been dominant this season, which could lead to limited offensive production for both teams. Historical data from their previous encounters supports this, with the last 10 games between these teams going 8-1 to the UNDER.
The Reds’ recent offensive struggles also add weight to the prediction for the UNDER. In their last game, the Reds managed only two runs against the Pirates and have shown a tendency to score below average. The Pirates’ strong pitching performance is likely to continue, considering the Reds’ inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Adding to the expectation of a low-scoring game is the location and weather conditions. Great American Ball Park, while typically known for being hitter-friendly, will be subject to light rain, potentially affecting both teams’ offensive capabilities. Such conditions often contribute to fewer runs as teams struggle to adjust to the wet playing surface.
Given the impressive pitching staff and recent low-scoring trends in head-to-head matchups, the UNDER 7.0 stands out as the most sensible pick for this game. With both Skenes and Greene likely to control the tempo, a final score of Pirates 3 – Reds 1 seems plausible.
- Reds vs Pirates Prediction: Under 7.0
- Reds vs Pirates Score: Pirates 3 – Reds 1
