Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/26/2026

Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Friday, June 26, 2026

Venue:  PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA 

Where to Watch:  MLB TV

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +179, Pirates -219; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +180, Pirates -225; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Reds +180, Pirates -225; Over/Under:  7.5 runs

Cincinnati Reds:  37-42 (5th place, NL Central)

Pittsburgh Pirates:  41-40 (4th place, NL Central)

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Cincinnati Reds:  4-6 last 10

Pittsburgh Pirates:  5-5 last 10

The Reds are entering this series off a loss and got swept in their 3-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 37-42 record overall and have a road record of 18-20. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Pirates on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 24th in the MLB with a .698 OPS. Rhett Lowder was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Andrew Abbott is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 1 ER, 1 HR, and 3 BB with 6 SO on 5 hits through 5 IP against the New York Yankees.

The Pirates are entering this series off a win and won their 3-game series against the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-40 record overall and have a home record of 22-20. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Reds on Friday. Their offense ranks 3rd in the MLB with a .746 OPS. Bubba Chandler was their starting pitcher on Thursday while Paul Skenes is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 6-7 with a 2.86 ERA this season. His team lost their last 7 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 1 homer, and 2 walks with 8 strikeouts on 4 hits through 6 innings pitched against the Colorado Rockies.

The current betting odds have the Pirates listed as a big favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pirates have looked good in their games this season with their 41-40 record overall, but that record has them right near the bottom of the NL Central. They have looked good in their own ballpark though with their 22-20 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Reds haven't looked good in their games this season with their 37-42 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the NL Central. They haven't been a great road team either with their 18-20 road record this year. The Reds had a decent start to the season, but they have been falling apart lately and are now 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Pirates haven't looked any better lately as they are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they are going to have the better pitching matchup in this one and also have the better offense that has been hot lately. Skenes is on the mound for the Pirates in this one and he has looked great this season. He is 6-7 with a 2.86 ERA and he has looked a lot better lately since having a rough start to the season. His team has had a lot of trouble with him starting, losing 7 games in a row now with him on the mound, but he only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start which has been a common theme for him and that trend is due to turn around with how good he has been. The Reds are going with Abbott in this one and he has looked good this season too. He is 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA, but his team has been having trouble with him lately too. They have lost 2 of their last 3 games with him starting and even though he gave up 1 earned run in his last start, he has still been up and down this season. Look for the Pirates to take advantage of this better pitching matchup with the hotter offense to give them the edge in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pirates to win this game and on the runline. 

Reds Pirates Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, June 26, 2026 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Pirates 3 Reds 1.

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Cincinnati Reds: 94-108 (+5.5 units) on the moneyline in road games. 36-30 (+9.1 units) on the moneyline after 3 consecutive games versus a division rival. 56-51 (+8.2 units) on the moneyline after 2 or more consecutive losses. 22-15 OVER in road games.

Pittsburgh Pirates: 188-216 (-20.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 58-70 (-11.2 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 44-58 (-13 units) on the moneyline against left-handed starters. 27-14 OVER in home games.

Cincinnati Reds:  N. Lodolo (SP) Day To Day - Wrist. G. Ashcraft (RP) Sixty Day IL - Forearm. K. Hayes (3B) Ten Day IL - Back. E. Pagan (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Hamstring. B. Williamson (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. H. Greene (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.

Pittsburgh Pirates:  S. Horwitz (1B) Day To Day - Hamstring. J. Jones (1B) Day To Day - Arm. W. Dotel (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Lat. O. Cruz (CF) Ten Day IL - Hand. C. Devenski (RP) Sixty Day IL - Illness. K. Griffin (SS) Ten Day IL - Flexor Tendon.

“I think it’s too blanket of a statement — every game is different, and I always feel that way. They’re a very good team, and they’re hard to beat because they challenge you in so many ways. But we just have to be more consistent in a number of areas.” - Terry Francona after his team’s loss against the Brewers in their game on Wednesday. 

“He’s been really good for us and was again [Wednesday]. The way he was able to settle in after the first three guys got on, credit to him being able to slow things down and do what he was able to do. Threw a ton of strikes. Got a ton of punchouts. Was efficient. Only 86 pitches through six innings. He pitched great.” - Don Kelly on Braxton Ashcraft after his team’s win against the Mariners in their game on Wednesday.

Blake Dunn (R) LF

Elly De La Cruz (S) SS

Dane Myers (R) CF

Sal Stewart (R) 3B

Spencer Steer (R) 1B

Eugenio Suárez (R) DH

Noelvi Marte (R) RF

Tyler Stephenson (R) C

Matt McLain (R) 2B

Jake Mangum (S) CF

Brandon Lowe (L) DH

Bryan Reynolds (S) LF

Nick Gonzales (R) 3B

Ryan O'Hearn (L) 1B

Esmerlyn Valdez (R) RF

Tyler Callihan (L) 2B

Jared Triolo (R) SS

Henry Davis (R) C

Batting Average:  Blake Dunn (.279)

Hits:  Sal Stewart (74)

Home Runs:  Sal Stewart (14)

RBI:  Sal Stewart (55)

Stolen Bases:  Sal Stewart (11)

Wins:  Chase Burns (9)

Saves:  Emilio Pagán (6)

ERA:  Caleb Ferguson (1.42)

Batting Average:  Rafael Flores (.667)

Hits:  Bryan Reynolds (84)

Home Runs:  Brandon Lowe (19)

RBI:  Bryan Reynolds (52)

Stolen Bases:  Oneil Cruz (21)

Wins:  Braxton Ashcraft (7)

Saves:  Gregory Soto (11)

ERA:  Evan Sisk (1.82)

Managers:

Cincinnati Reds: Terry Francona (2nd season)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Don Kelly (2nd season)