PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates look to bounce back from a shutout loss as they face the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT under partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 84 degrees.

The Pirates (55-54) enter the contest in the thick of the National League playoff race, while the Reds (50-57) are looking to climb out of last place in the NL Central following a 6-1 loss to Cleveland on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh will send right-hander Jared Jones to the mound. Jones had an inconsistent July, but his stuff remains electric. He tossed six no-hit innings against Atlanta on July 8, striking out eight, but took the loss when the Pirates failed to score. In his most recent start Wednesday against Arizona, Jones allowed three earned runs on four hits over six innings with five strikeouts in a 3-0 loss.

The Reds will counter with right-hander Brady Singer. Singer has been steady of late, posting a 2.45 ERA over his last three starts. He allowed just one earned run over 7⅓ innings in a July 9 loss to Philadelphia but took a no-decision Wednesday against Cleveland after allowing six hits and no earned runs over 4⅓ innings.

The game marks the second of a four-game series between the division rivals. Cincinnati won the opener 2-0 on Thursday, snapping a four-game losing streak. The teams have split their season series 5-5 entering Friday, with Pittsburgh winning three of the last four meetings at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds have won two of the last three matchups in Cincinnati, including a 2-0 win March 30 and an 8-3 victory April 1. Pittsburgh took the series 3-1 in Cincinnati from May 1-3, outscoring the Reds 27-8 in those four games.

Pittsburgh was blanked 3-0 by Arizona on Wednesday, managing just three hits. Shortstop Jared Triolo went 2-for-3 in the loss. The Pirates have lost three of their last four overall.

Cincinnati dropped two of three to Cleveland, scoring just one run over the final two games of that series.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 Cincinnati victory, though Pittsburgh has been installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line. The over/under is set at 7½ runs.

Following Friday’s contest, the teams will continue the series Saturday and Sunday before the Pirates travel to Milwaukee for four games. The Reds return home Tuesday to host the Athletics for three games.