The Cincinnati Reds are back at home tonight, riding high from a series win against the Boston Red Sox. They're set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates for the start of a three-game series.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after dropping two of three games in New York against the Mets, with the last two games stretching into extra innings. First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET.
Lineups
For the Pirates:
- Oneil Cruz - CF
- Brandon Lowe - 2B
- Bryan Reynolds - LF
- Marcell Ozuna - DH
- Ryan O’Hearn - RF
- Jared Triolo - SS
- Spencer Horwitz - 1B
- Nick Gonzales - 3B
- Henry Davis - C
For the Reds:
- TJ Friedl - CF
- Matt McLain - 2B
- Elly De La Cruz - SS
- Sal Stewart - 1B
- Eugenio Suarez - DH
- Spencer Steer - LF
- Will Benson - RF
- Tyler Stephenson - C
- Ke’Bryan Hayes - 3B
Starting Pitchers
Tonight’s mound matchup features Chase Burns for the Reds and Braxton Ashcraft for the Pirates. Let’s dive into what each brings to the table.
Chase Burns
Chase Burns is back in the starting rotation after wrapping up his 2025 season in the bullpen. He capped off spring training with an impressive start in Milwaukee and aims to carry that momentum into tonight's game. Last season, Burns had a notable performance against the Pirates, allowing just one run over eight innings, featuring 13 strikeouts across two appearances.
When pitching at Great American Ball Park, Burns was effective, striking out 32 batters with just four walks over 20 innings, though left-handed hitters managed to find some success against him. His fastball averaged 98.5 mph, and he relied heavily on it, using it 56% of the time.
Braxton Ashcraft
Braxton Ashcraft made his MLB debut in 2025, splitting his time between the bullpen and starting rotation. He was particularly effective as a starter, boasting a 2.16 ERA. Ashcraft’s ability to keep the ball on the ground, with a 50% groundball rate, helped limit home runs to just three over 69.2 innings.
Ashcraft’s splits show that left-handed hitters walked more often, but his overall performance was consistent against both sides of the plate. His fastball sits around 96 mph, and he mixes in a variety of pitches, including a slider and curveball.
News and Notes
- Nick Lodolo Update: Lodolo is on the IL with a blister but is making progress. He’s scheduled for a bullpen session on Tuesday, with hopes of a rehab start on Thursday in Daytona. The Reds are optimistic about his return during next week’s series in Miami.
- Sal Stewart Shines: Sal Stewart earned NL Player of the Week honors after a phenomenal performance against the Red Sox, hitting .700 with an OPS over 2.000.
- Chase Petty’s Debut: Chase Petty had an impressive 2026 debut with the Louisville Bats, striking out eight in 4.2 shutout innings. He introduced a new pitch that contributed to his success.
Division Standings
The division race is already heating up:
- Milwaukee: 3-0
- Cincinnati: 2-1
- St. Louis: 2-1
- Chicago: 1-2
- Pittsburgh: 1-2
According to Fangraphs, the playoff odds are still early but intriguing, with Milwaukee leading the pack. The Reds are looking to improve their 22.2% playoff odds with a strong showing in this series.
As the Reds take on the Pirates, both teams are eager to set the tone for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on the pitching duel tonight, as both starters aim to make a strong impression.