The Cincinnati Reds (60-55) are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-66) in a four-game series, kicking off Thursday at PNC Park with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. This matchup is particularly interesting as the Reds currently lead the season series 4-2.
Cincinnati is coming off a 2-1 series win over the Chicago Cubs, although they concluded the set with a disappointing 6-1 defeat, despite being +113 underdogs. The Reds managed only one run in the last game, driven in by designated hitter Austin Hays during the ninth inning.
Meanwhile, the Pirates dropped two out of three games to the San Francisco Giants, with their most recent loss being a 4-2 defeat on Wednesday. Pittsburgh had a promising lead of 2-1 heading into the seventh inning, enjoying a 77.2% win probability, but faltered late in the game, allowing three runs in the final two innings.
In this upcoming game, the projected starters are right-handers Brady Singer for the Reds and Paul Skenes for the Pirates. Singer, holding a record of 9-8 with a 4.36 ERA, is making his 23rd start of the season. In his last appearance against the Braves, he delivered a strong performance, throwing six innings without allowing any earned runs and striking out 10.
Conversely, Skenes, with a record of 6-8 and a remarkable 2.02 ERA, is having a standout season. He has been particularly effective against the Reds in his career, boasting a 3-0 record and a minuscule 0.53 ERA over 17 innings pitched against them.
BetMGM Sportsbook has set the odds for this matchup, listing the Reds at +140 and the Pirates at -170 on the moneyline. With the run line favoring the Reds at +1.5 and the Pirates at -1.5, and an over/under set at 7 runs, analysts are predicting a close game.
Predictions suggest the Pirates may narrowly win this game 3-2, but there are cautions due to the team’s recent struggles, particularly in late-game situations. Therefore, betting on the Pirates to lead after the first five innings seems to be a safer play, with the betting community also favoring the under on total runs given the recent performance trends.
As baseball enthusiasts look forward to this series, both teams are vying for opportunities to turn their seasons around, making this a compelling matchup for fans and bettors alike.