Pirates vs Reds Prediction 7/31/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Reds prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 31st at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 55-55 this year after they lost game one by a score of 2-3 on Thursday night. Pittsburgh erased a 2-0 deficit in the middle innings, but they could only find two runs in the low scoring loss. The Pirates recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Lowe, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Ramirez allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 2.0 innings, while Soto picked up the loss in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks and two out of three against the Cubs. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.26 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 565 runs with a .259 batting average and a .336 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 9-9 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over 120.2 innings pitched this year. 

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are 51-57 this season after they won game one by a score of 3-2 last night. Cincinnati led 2-0 in the third inning, but they needed a run in the ninth to escape with the win. The Reds recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by De La Cruz, who went 3-4 with one RBI. Lowder allowed five hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Pagan picked up the win. Prior to this series, Cincinnati lost two out of three against the Guardians, but did win two out of three against the Cardinals before that. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.41 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while they have scored 443 runs with a .230 batting average and a .309 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 18 home runs and 48 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Hunter Greene, who is 2-2 with a 7.06 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 21.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Reds have won each of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last six night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in eight of the Pirates’ last nine games.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games at Great American Ball Park against National League opponents.
• The Reds have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight Friday night games against the Pirates.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last eight games at Great American Ball Park following a win.
• The Pirates have won each of their last four road games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last five games following a road loss.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games at Great American Ball Park following a win.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last seven games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Pirates’ last five games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last six night games at Great American Ball Park.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in 10 of the Reds’ last 11 home games against National League opponents.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Eugenio Suarez has hit a home run in two of the Reds’ last three home games against NL Central opponents.
• Hunter Greene has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances at Great American Ball Park.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances with the Reds as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games as road favorites against the Reds.
• Nick Gonzales has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 13 road games.
• Paul Skenes has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.

Pirates vs Reds Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after a tough loss on Thursday and they have lost three games in a row. The Pirates are 26-27 on the road this year, while the Reds are 24-30 at home. Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have scored three runs or fewer in three straight. The Reds are starting Greene, who has allowed 6, 3, 0, and 8 earned runs in his four starts, while Skenes has allowed 5, 1, 2, 2, and 7 earned runs in his last five starts. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 7.5