Pirates vs Reds Prediction 5/19/25 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Monday, May 19th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 15-32 this year after they lost all three games against the Phillies by scores of 4-8, 2-5, and 0-1. In their game three loss, Pittsburgh got a great pitching performance from Skenes, but couldn’t find any runs in the shutout loss. The Pirates recorded six hits in the game and they were led by McCutchen, Reynolds, Horwitz, Canario, Kiner-Falefa, and Davis, who all had one hit in the game. Pittsburgh started Skenes, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 8.0 innings, while striking out nine. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Mets, but did win two out of three against the Braves before that. Pittsburgh has lost five of their last six games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.08 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 141 runs with a .217 batting average and a .297 on base percentage this season. Bryan Reynolds has led Pittsburgh with six home runs and 22 RBIs, while Andrew McCutchen has added three home runs and 14 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mitch Keller, who is 1-5 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 52.0 innings pitched this year. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 24-24 this season after they swept Cleveland in three games by scores of 5-4, 4-1, and 3-1. In their game three win, Cincinnati scored the first three runs in the game and they were able to hang on for the win. The Reds recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Benson, who went 3-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in the win. Cincinnati started Abbott, who allowed four hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Pagan picked up the save. 

Prior to that series, the Reds lost two out of three against the White Sox and two out of three against the Astros. Cincinnati has won four games in a row and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.58 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .223 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 220 runs with a .243 batting average and a .320 on base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with eight home runs and 31 RBIs, while Austin Hays has added six home runs and 17 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Lodolo, who is 3-4 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP over 52.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Reds will beat the Pirates

• The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have won each of their last four games.
• The Reds have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last five night games against the Pirates.
• The Reds have won the first inning in four of their last five night games against the Pirates.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against the Pirates.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Pirates’ last nine games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last six games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six home games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Reds after playing the previous day.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded a Double in three of the Pirates’ last four games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Joey Bart has recorded an RBI in three of the Pirates’ last four games against the Reds at PNC Park.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has scored a run in four of his last five home appearances against the Reds after playing the previous day.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one Single in 12 of his last 13 appearances with the Pirates as home underdogs against NL opponents.
• Mitch Keller has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with the Pirates as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 Monday night appearances with the Pirates at PNC Park.
• Oneil Cruz ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (16) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Will Benson has hit at least one home run in each of the Reds’ last four games.
• Spencer Steer has recorded a Double in three of the Reds’ last four night games.
• Will Benson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Reds’ last four games.
• Tyler Stephenson has scored at least one run in each of his last five appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a losing record.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances with the Reds as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Nick Lodolo has recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances with the Reds as road favorites.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one Single in each of the Reds’ last six games as road favorites.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 11 games as road favorites.
• Elly De La Cruz ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (16) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (141).
• The Pirates rank 30th in the league for doubles this season (49).
• The Reds rank 4th in the league for steals this season (52).
• The Reds rank 27th in the league for strikeouts against this season (434).

Pirates vs Reds Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this series after a very disappointing loss on Sunday afternoon and they are the lowest scoring team in the MLB this year. The Pirates are 9-13 at home this season, while the Reds are 11-12 on the road. Cincinnati finally has some momentum and they are starting Lodolo, who has allowed three earned runs or more in three of his last five starts. Pittsburgh is going with Keller, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five starts. I backed the Pirates on Sunday afternoon, but can’t do the same here after watching them at the plate. Take the Reds to win.