Reds vs Pirates Prediction 5/20/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, May 20th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 25-24 this year after they won game one by a score of 7-1 on Monday night. Cincinnati was tied at one after the first inning, but they were able to score the last six runs in the game for the blowout win. The Reds recorded 12 hits in the game, and they were led by Hays and De La Cruz, who both had two RBIs in the win. Cincinnati started Lodolo, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Richardson and Barlow picked up holds. 

Prior to this series, the Reds swept the Guardians in three games, but lost two out of three against the White Sox before that. Cincinnati has won five games in a row, and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The Cincinnati pitching staff has a 3.53 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a .221 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 227 runs with a .245 batting average and a .321 on-base percentage this season. Elly De La Cruz has led Cincinnati with eight home runs and 33 RBIs, while Austin Hays has added six home runs and 19 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Nick Martinez, who is 2-4 with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 51.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 15-33 this season after they lost game one in this series on Monday night. Pittsburgh tied the game at one in the first inning, but they went scoreless over the final eight innings for the loss. The Pirates recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Bart, who went 1-4 with one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Keller, who allowed six hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Bednar and Holderman combined to allow five earned runs late in the game. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three games against the Phillies and two out of three against the Mets. Pittsburgh has lost six of its last seven games, and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.12 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .242 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 142 runs with a .216 batting average and a .296 on-base percentage this season. Bryan Reynolds has led Pittsburgh with six home runs and 22 RBIs, while Andrew McCutchen has added three home runs and 14 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bailey Falter, who is 2-3 with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 47.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Reds will beat the Pirates 

• The Pirates have lost nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Reds have won each of their last five games after playing the previous day.
• The Reds have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games against the Pirates.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last seven games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Pirates’ last six home games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Reds’ last 11 games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last six Tuesday games against NL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Joey Bart has recorded an RBI in four of the Pirates’ last five home games against the Reds.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one Single in each of his last eight Tuesday night appearances with the Pirates as underdogs.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine Tuesday night appearances with the Pirates as underdogs.
• Jack Suwinski has hit a home run in three of his last four Tuesday night appearances against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Ji-Hwan Bae has scored a run in each of his last three appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Austin Hays has recorded a Double in three of his last four road appearances against NL opponents.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Reds’ last four games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Spencer Steer has recorded a Single in each of the Reds’ last four games as favorites against NL opponents.
• Elly De La Cruz has scored at least one run in seven of the Reds’ last eight games as favorites.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 11 games as road favorites against NL opponents.
• Jeimer Candelario has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances with his team as a road favorite against NL Central opponents.

Reds vs Pirates Prediction 

Cincinnati was able to pick up an easy win on Monday night in game one of this series, and they are one of the hottest teams in the MLB over the last week. The Reds are 12-12 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 9-14 at home. Pittsburgh has lost four games in a row, and they have scored a total of three runs over their last three games. The Pirates are starting Falter, who has allowed one earned run over his last 16.2 innings of work. The Reds are going with Martinez, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts. I don’t trust the Pittsburgh offense right now, so back the Reds on the road.