PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The surging Cincinnati Reds visit PNC Park on Friday, May 1, 2026, to open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT under rainy skies and temperatures around 49 degrees.

Cincinnati (20-11) sends right-hander Brady Singer (2-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound. Singer will look to build on a strong start to the season for the National League Central leaders. The Reds are coming off a 6-4 victory Thursday over the Colorado Rockies, a game in which left-hander Andrew Abbott tossed six innings of two-run ball, striking out five.

Abbott, a key player to watch, has been inconsistent but effective overall. In his last five outings, he has a 4-1 record though his ERA has fluctuated. After a disastrous start against the Los Angeles Angels on April 12 (3 IP, 8 H, 7 ER), he has rebounded with three consecutive wins, including Thursday’s gem.

Pittsburgh (16-16) counters with its own offense, looking to snap a four-game losing streak after dropping a 10-5 decision to St. Louis on Thursday. Second baseman Brandon Lowe has been a bright spot, going 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in that loss. Over his last 11 games, Lowe is batting .225 but has shown power, with two homers and four RBIs in that span.

The Pirates have struggled against Cincinnati this season, losing two of three in the season-opening series March 30-April 1 at Great American Ball Park. Pittsburgh won the final two games of that set, 8-3 and 8-3, after dropping the opener 2-0.

Cincinnati has been the hotter team overall, winning eight of its last 11. The Reds’ offense has been bolstered by designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe, who was 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI on Thursday, and outfielder TJ Friedl, who added a homer and two RBIs.

The game simulator projects a 7-4 Reds victory. Cincinnati is installed as a -1.5 run favorite, with the over/under set at 8.

Following this series, the Reds travel to Chicago for four games against the Cubs starting Monday, while the Pirates head to Arizona for a three-game set against the Diamondbacks.