Reds vs Pirates Prediction 6/26/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Reds vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 26th 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 37-42 this season after they lost all three against the Brewers by scores of 1-2, 0-2, and 5-6. In game three, Cincinnati cut the deficit from 6-1 to 6-5, but couldn’t find the tying run in the loss. The Reds recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Steer, who went 2-5 with one home run and two RBIs. Lowder allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 5.2 innings for the loss, while Moll allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to that series, Cincinnati won two out of three against the Yankees and two out of three against the Mets. 

This season, Cincinnati has a 4.51 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while they have scored 331 runs with a .226 batting average and a .309 on base percentage. Sal Stewart has led the Reds with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs, while Elly De La Cruz has added 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Cincinnati is Andrew Abbott, who is 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 84.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 41-40 this year after they won two out of three against the Mariners by a score of 2-3, 11-1, and 5-1. In game three, Pittsburgh had their lead cut to 3-1 in the fifth inning, but they scored the last two runs to pull away with the win. The Pirates recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lowe, who went 2-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Chandler allowed five hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings for the win, while Sisk picked up a hold. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Rockies, but did win two out of three against the Athletics before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.08 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average, while they have scored 409 runs with a .257 batting average and a .335 on base percentage. Bryan Reynolds has led the Pirates with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 19 home runs and 51 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 6-7 with a 2.86 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 88.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last 10 road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The favorites have won each of the last seven games between the Reds and Pirates.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four games.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games against the Pirates following a loss.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in eight of their last nine Friday home games.
• The Reds have lost the first inning in three of their last four games at PNC Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against the Reds.

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Pirates have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against National League opponents following a win.
• The Reds have won five of their last seven games as underdogs against the Pirates following a home loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against National League opponents.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four games as underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight night games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Reds’ last six road games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Reds’ last five games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in four of the Pirates’ last five home games against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five games as favorites against the Reds.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 11 night games.
• Paul Skenes has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.
• Paul Skenes is one of only five pitchers to record 90+ Strikeouts and 20 or less Walks this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Matt Mclain has hit at least one home run in three of his last four appearances with the Reds as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Blake Dunn has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances.
• Andrew Abbott has recorded a win in three of his last four road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for runs scored this season (409).
• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for RBIs this season (391).
• The Reds rank T28th in the league for triples this season (6).
• The Reds rank 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (356).

Reds vs Pirates Prediction

Cincinnati comes into this matchup after getting swept by the Brewers, but they have allowed two runs or fewer in four of their last five games. The Reds are 18-20 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 22-20 at home. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four games and they have allowed two runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Pirates are starting Skenes, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts, while Abbott has allowed one earned run in back to back starts. Pittsburgh is 0-5 in Skenes’ last five outings, but I like them to win by at least two runs here.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1.5