In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB matchup on Friday, June 26th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 41-40 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the NL Central. They have a 22-20 home record and are coming off a 5-1 home win against the Mariners. They will face the Phillies and the Nationals next.
The Pirates have a .257 batting average this season, .335 OBP and .411 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.08 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .297 batting average. Bryan Reynolds leads the team in RBI with 52, while Brandon Lowe adds a team-high 19 home runs.
Paul Skenes (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 6-7 record, 2.86 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Cincinnati Reds have a 37-42 record this season and are sitting in the 5th place of the NL Central. They have a 18-20 road record and are coming off a 6-5 home defeat against the Brewers. They will face the Brewers and the Orioles next.
The Reds have a .226 batting average this season, .309 OBP and .389 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.51 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .276 batting average. Sal Stewart leads the team in RBI with 55, adding a team-high 14 home runs.
Andrew Abbott (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 5-4 record, 3.83 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: June 26, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes Record this season: 6-7 ERA: 2.86
- Home Record: 3-4
- Last 5 against Reds: 4-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Reds have lost each of their last 11 road games against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have won each of their last five games against the Reds.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against the Pirates following a loss.
- The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games at PNC Park against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four games against the Reds.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Andrew Abbott Record this season: 5-4 ERA: 3.83
- Road Record: 3-2
- Last 5 against Pirates: 2-1
Why the Cincinnati Reds will win
- The Pirates have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The road team has won each of the Reds’ last five games.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Reds’ last five games.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as favorites.
Total Runs Facts
- Nine of the Pirates’ last 10 games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Reds’ last six games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Reds’ last nine games against NL Central opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in six of the last seven night games between the Reds and Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five games against the Reds.
- Paul Skenes has recorded a win in four of his last five home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 15 games.
- Bryan Reynolds ranks 5th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.405) this season.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Matt Mclain has hit at least one home run in three of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Andrew Abbott has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Blake Dunn has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (720).
- The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (750).
- The Reds rank 29th in the league for hits this season (599).
- The Reds rank 29th in the league for batting average this season (.226).
Reds vs Pirates Prediction
The Pirates have won their last five meetings against the Reds, having swept their previous series in Pittsburgh this season by 3-0 wins and a combined 27-8 score.
In this Reds vs Pirates Prediction, the Pirates are coming as -220 home favorites. I like the Pirates in this one with Skenes on the mound. Abbott has been in good form, but he will face a red-hot Pirates offense that has scored 24 runs in three of its last four games. On top of that, the Reds are dead last against righties in the last week, so I expect an easy win for the Pirates to cover the runline.