The stage is set for the Cincinnati Reds to make a move.
When they open a three-game weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on Friday, both teams will enter tied for last in the NL Central. But for the Reds, this series feels like more than just another early-season matchup — it’s an opportunity.
With all three of the Reds, Pirates, and Cardinals idle on Thursday, Friday’s first pitch will kick off a crucial moment for Cincinnati. For too long, matchups between the Reds and Pirates have been about fighting to stay out of the cellar. Now, the Reds have a chance to flip that script and spark a new narrative.
Despite a 5-8 record, the Reds can at least say they’ve been competitive. They’ve taken tough losses, including a blown lead on Opening Day and a string of close games last week. Most recently, they gave away a 6-1 lead to the Giants in a heartbreaker. Still, they hold a rare distinction — a positive run differential despite their record. That suggests better days may be ahead.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are reeling. With a -19 run differential and ace Paul Skenes unavailable this weekend, Pittsburgh arrives in Cincinnati vulnerable. Skenes was lit up in his last start and won’t make another appearance until after the series concludes. The Reds are dodging a major bullet.
If there were ever a moment for the Reds to make a statement, it’s this weekend. This is the kind of series that can swing a season. The kind that, if handled correctly, can give a young club a jolt of confidence and purpose.
Probable Pitching Matchups
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Friday (6:40 PM ET): RHP Brady Singer vs. LHP Bailey Falter
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Saturday (6:40 PM ET): TBD vs. LHP Andrew Heaney
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Sunday (1:40 PM ET): TBD vs. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski
The Reds are expected to activate LHP Andrew Abbott for the series, possibly slotting him into Saturday’s game. Alongside Singer and Hunter Greene, that could give Cincinnati a solid rotation trio to seize control of the weekend.
But they’ll have to conquer one of their early weaknesses: left-handed pitching. The Reds rank near the bottom of the league in production against lefties — their 26 wRC+ against LHP ranks third-worst in MLB — and losing Matt McLain to the IL only deepens the challenge.
How to Watch
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Friday: Apple TV+ (subscription required)
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Saturday & Sunday: FanDuel Sports Ohio (regional), or MLB.tv for out-of-market viewers
This isn’t just another early-season series. This is a chance for the Reds to build momentum, reset their season, and remind the rest of the division they’re not going quietly. The opportunity is there — now it’s time to deliver.
