Pirates, Reds Set for Afternoon Finale After Split

CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds will wrap up their early-season series with an afternoon matchup Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, with both teams looking to gain momentum after splitting the first two games.

The Pirates (1-3) evened the series with a 6-1 victory Tuesday after dropping the opener 2-0 on Monday. Cincinnati (3-1) saw its three-game win streak snapped.

Pittsburgh will send right-hander Paul Skenes (0-1) to the mound. Skenes took the loss in his first start of the season. He will be opposed by Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott (0-0), making his first appearance of 2026.

A key rematch will feature Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who is slated for relief duty. Ashcraft was the hard-luck loser Monday, allowing two runs over six strong innings in a 2-0 defeat. The Reds will counter with right-handed reliever Chase Burns, who earned the win in that same game with five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.

The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies and a game-time temperature of 76 degrees.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Reds 5, Pirates 4. Despite the simulation and Cincinnati’s better record, Pittsburgh has been installed as a pregame betting favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs.

Following the game, the Pirates will head home to open a series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The Reds embark on a road trip, starting a series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington on Friday.