The Cincinnati Reds' matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates is kicking off with a rain delay this Saturday afternoon. The Pirates have announced via social media that they're aiming for a first pitch at 4:40 PM, but they're keeping fans updated in case the weather throws any curveballs.
Taking the mound for the Reds is Chase Burns, who's been nothing short of stellar this season. Despite a 0-1 record, his numbers tell a different story.
With an ERA of 2.00, 102 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.05, Burns is making a strong case for an All-Star Game nod, ranking among the league's top 15 in these categories. His recent outing against the Yankees saw him give up just one run on five hits over five innings, while racking up seven strikeouts.
It's clear that Burns is a key player to watch.
On the Pirates' side, Jared Jones is set to take the ball on Sunday, hoping to fend off a series loss. Jones, who's had a limited number of starts this season, holds a 1-1 record with a 5.75 ERA. His last appearance was cut short due to an unfortunate line drive incident, but he managed to keep the Rockies at bay with just one run over three innings before leaving the game.
Historically, the Reds have had Jones' number. In their last encounter at Great American Ball Park back in 2024, they managed to put six runs on the board against him in a decisive 7-1 victory. However, Jones has been particularly effective against right-handed batters this season, holding them to a mere .152 average and a .404 OPS.
In a strategic move, Reds manager Terry Francona has placed Elly De La Cruz at the top of the lineup for the first time since 2023. Francona shared that De La Cruz seemed eager about the change, and the hope is that having him in the leadoff spot could spark some offensive magic. De La Cruz is undoubtedly one of the Reds' top hitters, and maximizing his at-bats could be a game-changer for Cincinnati.
While we wait out the rain, anticipation builds to see how De La Cruz will perform in this new role. It might just be the spark the Reds need to make a splash in this series.
In Other News...
The Reds Draft Regret That Keeps Looking More Brutal
The 2022 draft still looks like a pivot point for Cincinnati, especially when you line up the Reds early picks against how the board turned out. The club came away with Cam Collier, Sal Stewart and Logan Tanner, a group that at the time represented a mix of upside and organizational need, but the conversation around that class has only gotten louder as the years have passed.
Logan Tanners path has been the hardest to read, with his development stalling before he could get beyond High-A and the organization eventually shifting him from catcher to pitcher. He has yet to make that first mound appearance after landing on the 60-day injured list in March, while the arm the Reds let go elsewhere has surged into one of the most compelling starting pitchers in the league and a legitimate Cy Young threat. [Read more 🡒]
Emilio Pagan Is Suddenly At Center Of The Reds Bullpen Tension
Emilio Pagan took another step toward rejoining the Reds on his rehab assignment, working a clean inning in just nine pitches in his second outing. The right-handers brief tune-up comes at a time when Cincinnatis bullpen has been stretched in several directions, with Graham Ashcraft and Tony Santillan on the injured list and Pierce Johnson and Julian Garcia only recently back in the mix.
For a group already juggling late-inning roles and fresh arms, Pagans progress matters even more because the Reds have had to absorb other hits around the roster as well, from Eugenio Suarez leaving after being hit by a pitch to Blake Dunn going on the injured list and KeBryan Hayes continuing his rehab work. The next question is how soon the club decides it has seen enough from Pagan, and what move follows when the bullpen finally gets one more experienced option back in the door. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Let Another Winnable Game Slip As Brewers Pressure Builds
The Reds had another chance to steady themselves Sunday in Pittsburgh, but the series finale slipped away early and never really came back. Brady Singer took the ball after showing some recent promise, yet the second inning turned into another reminder of the volatility that has followed him at times this season, and Cincinnati was left chasing a 9-4 loss at PNC Park.
Tyler Callihans three-run homer put the Pirates in control, and the Reds could not answer enough to change the feel of the afternoon. A rain delay only added to the frustration, as Pittsburgh came back out and kept widening the gap, leaving Cincinnati at 39-43 and still searching for a way to stop these winnable games from getting away. [Read more 🡒]