Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds August 10th 2025
The Cincinnati Reds will play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The game is set for Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 1:35 PM. The weather is expected to be warm with scattered clouds and a light breeze.
The Reds have a 61-57 record and are third in the NL Central. They recently won their last game and are 5-5 in their last ten. The Pirates hold a 51-67 record and are fifth in the division. They lost their previous game and also have a 5-5 record in their last ten games.
Reds vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
- Betting Odds: Reds Moneyline -110, Pirates Moneyline -108, Reds Runline -1.5 (+154), Pirates Runline +1.5 (-186), Total Over 8.0 (-117), Total Under 8.0 (-103)
The Reds Can Win If…
The Cincinnati Reds are coming off a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nick Martinez pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run. Noelvi Marte had a standout performance with three hits, including three doubles, and drove in a run.
The Reds have a solid chance to win with their strong pitching and defense. Their team ERA is 3.86, ranking 14th in the league, and they hold opponents to a .233 batting average, ranking 4th. Zack Littell, with a 3.46 ERA, will start the game, giving them a reliable arm on the mound.
Offensively, the Reds have several players who can make an impact. Elly De La Cruz leads the team with 19 home runs and 73 RBIs. The lineup also features consistent hitters like Spencer Steer and Noelvi Marte, who can provide timely hits and drive in runs.
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a narrow 2-1 loss against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite the loss, Spencer Horwitz had a solid performance with two hits. Braxton Ashcraft pitched well, striking out five batters in just over three innings.
The Pirates’ pitching has been strong this season. They hold a team ERA of 3.82, ranking 12th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents to a .236 batting average, which is 5th best, gives them an edge.
Offensively, the Pirates have shown speed on the bases with 90 stolen bases, ranking 10th. Andrew McCutchen leads the team with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. With solid pitching and strategic base running, the Pirates have the tools to secure a win.
The Lean
The Reds are slightly favored with a moneyline of -110, while the Pirates are at -108. My model projects the Reds to win with a score of 5-4. The Reds’ batting average ranks higher, and their pitching has a strong earned run average, making them a solid pick to win straight up.
The total for the game is set at 8.0, with the over at -117 and the under at -103. My model projects a total score of 9 runs. Given both teams’ pitching and hitting stats, the over is a reasonable choice for this game.
An Instant Impact: Zack Littell, Reds Go for Series Win Against Pirates
For the Cincinnati Reds, the trade deadline was about making a calculated move to bolster their pitching staff for a deep playoff run. In their acquisition of right-hander Zack Littell, the early returns could not be any better. Fresh off a spectacular debut with his new team, Littell will take the mound on Sunday afternoon with a chance to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a crucial series victory over their National League Central rivals, the host Pittsburgh Pirates. For the Reds, it’s about making up ground in the wild-card race. For the Pirates, it’s about playing the role of spoiler.
An Instant Impact: The Littell Factor
Zack Littell’s first start in a Reds uniform was a masterpiece. Pitching against the first-place Chicago Cubs at the historic Wrigley Field, the veteran right-hander was dominant, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out eight to lead his new team to a 5-1 victory. The performance was so impressive that it put him in the Reds’ record books; he became just the fifth pitcher in the last 125 years to throw at least seven innings, allow one or fewer runs, and strike out at least eight in his debut for the franchise, joining a list that includes Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. For a pitcher who has bounced around the league in recent years, the chance to join a contending team and immediately be counted on is a welcome challenge.
“This is probably the first time I’ve ever gone to a new team with expectations to perform,” Littell said after his debut. “It was a little different, but the guys here did an awesome job prepping and helping me out. It’s been nothing but great since I’ve been here.” His addition has also allowed the Reds to strategically move another veteran, Nick Martinez, to the bullpen to strengthen their relief corps for the stretch run.
The table below provides a snapshot of two divisional rivals that are at very different points in their competitive cycles. To review the full box score from their last matchup, you can check the official MLB game results.
Team | Record | Division Standing | Recent Form (Last 10) |
Cincinnati Reds | 66-66 | 4th in NL Central | 5-5 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 58-75 | 5th in NL Central | 3-7 |
The Burrows Bounce-Back
While the Reds are celebrating their new acquisition, the Pirates will send their own young pitcher to the mound who is looking for a major bounce-back performance. Rookie right-hander Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.45) is coming off one of the worst starts of his young career, a game in which he was shelled for six runs and three home runs by the San Francisco Giants. It was a frustrating outing for a pitcher who had been excellent in the two months prior, posting a 3.08 ERA over an 11-start stretch.
Despite the damaging home runs, Burrows was more frustrated with his lack of command in that start. “I was really just mad about the walks,” a candid Burrows said. “If they pop those up on first-pitch heaters, I mean, we’re not even talking about it… Just more so mad about the walks.” This self-aware analysis is a sign of a mature young pitcher who understands the process. How a young pitcher bounces back from a disastrous outing is a key topic in our expert betting guide.
The Pitching Matchup: A Deeper Look
Sunday’s game features a fantastic duel between the veteran Littell, who is full of confidence with his new team, and the rookie Burrows, who is looking for redemption.
Pitcher | W-L (2025) | ERA (2025) | Career vs. Opponent |
Zack Littell (CIN) | 9-8 | 3.46 | 6.75 ERA (4 games) |
Mike Burrows (PIT) | 1-4 | 4.45 | First Appearance |
The Betting Outlook
The scores and odds for this matchup will likely favor the Reds, given their position in the playoff race and the recent form of the two starters. For more in-depth analysis of this and other games, you can view all of our MLB previews. To see who our experts are backing in this divisional showdown, check out our daily MLB picks. To get access to even more premium content and betting tools, you can register for an account today.