Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Preview, Odds, and Key Players for August 7, 2025 NL Central Matchup

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview: NL Central Rivals Face Off in Pittsburgh

The Cincinnati Reds (60-55), currently third in the NL Central, travel to PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-66), who hold fifth place in the division. The four-game series opener is set for Thursday at 6:40 p.m. EDT.

Pitching Matchup

On the mound for the Reds is Brady Singer, boasting a 9-8 record, a 4.36 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts. The Pirates counter with standout rookie Paul Skenes, who has a 6-8 record, a stellar 2.02 ERA, an impressive 0.92 WHIP, and an eye-popping 154 strikeouts. Oddsmakers have the Pirates favored at -174, with the Reds at +145 and an over/under of 7 runs.

Team Overview

Pittsburgh has fared well at home this season, posting a 32-27 record at PNC Park. Their pitching staff ranks seventh in the National League with a 3.89 ERA. Overall, the Pirates have struggled at 49-66 but maintain competitive pitching numbers.

The Reds have played solid baseball this season at 60-55, holding a near-even 27-29 mark on the road. Cincinnati’s pitching staff is ranked sixth in the league with a 3.87 ERA, pointing to a tightly matched battle on the mound.

Head-to-Head and Top Performers

This matchup marks the seventh meeting between the Reds and Pirates in the 2025 campaign, with Cincinnati leading the season series 4-2.

For the Pirates, Oneil Cruz has delivered 16 doubles, two triples, and 18 home runs, though he’s hitting just .208. Liover Peguero has heated up lately, collecting four home runs over his last 10 games. On the Reds’ side, Elly De La Cruz leads with 24 doubles, three triples, and 19 home runs, while TJ Friedl has gone 13-for-36 with a double and a home run in his last 10 contests.

Recent Form

The Pirates come in 6-4 over their last 10 outings, hitting .261 as a team with a 5.25 ERA — narrowly outscoring opponents by two runs in that span. The Reds sit at 5-5 in their last 10, batting .226 with a 3.80 ERA, and have been outscored by two runs.

Injury Report

Pittsburgh continues to deal with several injuries, with Chase Shugart (knee), Endy Rodriguez (elbow), Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder), Justin Lawrence (elbow), Tim Mayza (shoulder), and Jared Jones (elbow) all on the IL.

The Reds' injured list includes Nick Lodolo (finger), Wade Miley (flexor), Ian Gibaut (shoulder), Rhett Lowder (forearm), Hunter Greene (groin), Carson Spiers (shoulder), Tyler Callihan (forearm), Brandon Williamson (elbow), and Julian Aguiar (elbow).

In summary

The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates open a four-game divisional showdown in Pittsburgh, with each team looking to gain momentum in the NL Central. The Reds enter with a stronger overall record and an edge in the season series, while the Pirates rely on their strong home pitching. With key performers like Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz, and a must-watch pitching matchup in Brady Singer versus Paul Skenes, this game promises intensity and playoff implications. Keep an eye on injury updates and recent trends, as both teams aim to start the series on a winning note.

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