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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds August 8th 2025
The Cincinnati Reds will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park for a night game on Friday, August 8, 2025. The Reds hold a record of 60-56, ranking third in the NL Central. They have lost their last two games and are 4-6 in their last ten.
The Pirates, with a 50-66 record, stand fifth in the division. They recently secured a win and are 6-4 over their last ten games. The weather forecast for the game is very hot with a light breeze and broken clouds. The game will be broadcast on APLTV.
Reds vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
- Betting Odds: Reds Moneyline -108, Pirates Moneyline -110, Reds Runline -1.5 (+157), Pirates Runline +1.5 (-190), Total Over/Under 8.0 (-110)
The Reds Can Win If…
The Cincinnati Reds are looking to bounce back after a tough 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite the loss, Gavin Lux had a strong performance with three hits, including a double. TJ Friedl and Matt McLain also contributed with two hits each, showing that the Reds’ lineup can produce hits even in challenging games.
One reason the Reds can win is their solid on-base percentage, which ranks 9th in the league at .317. Their ability to get on base can create scoring opportunities. Elly De La Cruz is a key player to watch, leading the team with 19 home runs and a .279 batting average.
Chase Burns will be starting for the Reds, and while his ERA is 6.04, the team can support him with their defense. The Reds’ pitching staff has a batting average against of .234, ranking 4th in the league. If the Reds can capitalize on their hitting and pitching strengths, they have a good chance to win this game.
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a 7-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds. Paul Skenes pitched six scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing only seven hits. Henry Davis and Bryan Reynolds both hit home runs, driving in three runs combined.
The Pirates’ pitching staff has an earned run average of 3.85, ranking them 13th in the league. They have been effective in limiting opponents with a batting average against of .236, which is 5th best. Mitch Keller, with an ERA of 3.89, will start and look to continue this trend.
Offensively, the Pirates have players like Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen who can make a difference. Reynolds has 11 home runs and 54 RBIs, while McCutchen also has 11 home runs. With their ability to hit home runs and get on base, they have a chance to score runs against the Reds’ starter Chase Burns, who has an ERA of 6.04.
The Lean
The Reds are slightly favored on the moneyline at -108, while the Pirates are at -110. My model projects the Reds to win with a score of 5-4. The Reds have a better batting average and on-base percentage, which could give them the edge in this game.
The total for the game is set at 8.0, with both the over and under at -110. My model predicts a total score of 9 runs. Given the offensive stats and pitching ranks, taking the over seems like a reasonable choice.
Stay Ahead of the Diamond
MLB Data & Insights
The Quest for Win No. 1: Reds’ Prospect Chase Burns Faces Pirates
The talent is undeniable. The fastball touches triple digits, the strikeout numbers are staggering, and the potential is limitless. But for Cincinnati Reds top prospect Chase Burns, one crucial thing has remained elusive through the first month of his major league career: a victory. The 22-year-old right-hander will get another chance to secure that first big-league win on Friday night as the visiting Cincinnati Reds look to even their four-game series against their National League Central rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. It is a matchup that pits one of the game’s most exciting young arms against a veteran pitcher who has engineered a remarkable mid-season turnaround of his own.
The Chase Burns Experience: Electric Stuff, Elusive Wins
Since being called up to the majors on June 24 to help a Reds rotation beset by injuries, Chase Burns has been a true “must-see” event every time he takes the mound. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft has showcased the electric stuff that made him one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. He is coming off a stretch of three consecutive starts in which he has struck out 10 batters, a display of pure dominance that has left hitters and fans in awe. In his last outing against the Dodgers, his fastball was clocked at 100 mph or more a dozen times.
However, his rookie season has also been a lesson in the fine margins of major league baseball. Despite the high strikeout totals, Burns is still 0-3, and the Reds have a dismal 1-6 record in the seven games he has started. The primary issue has been the long ball; of the 30 hits he has allowed in 28 1/3 innings, a remarkable 13 have gone for extra bases, including eight home runs. He has a tendency to make one or two mistake pitches per game, and big-league hitters have not missed them. Still, the Reds’ organization is thrilled with his development. “We’re trying to build for the future with him and win now with him,” said Reds manager David Bell. “I think the kid is doing a really good job. I really do. I think his future is so bright because there’s going to be things he does better. But in the meantime, we’ll take it.”
The table below provides a snapshot of two teams that are in very different places in the NL Central standings. To review the full box score from their last matchup, you can check the official MLB game results.
| Team | Record | Division Standing | Runs Per Game | Team ERA |
| Cincinnati Reds | 64-65 | 4th in NL Central | 4.6 | 4.45 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 56-74 | 5th in NL Central | 3.9 | 4.60 |
Keller’s Quiet Redemption
While Burns is trying to find his footing, the Pirates will send a pitcher to the mound who has completely turned his season around. Right-hander Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.89 ERA) endured a brutal start to the year, going on a personal 15-start winless streak. Since snapping that streak, however, he has been one of the most reliable pitchers in the National League, winning his last four decisions. His success is a testament to his mental fortitude and his refusal to let the early-season struggles define him.
“He’s been great, like we’ve said before, he’s pitched way better than his record has shown,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said of his ace. “He’s been great.” How a veteran pitcher can turn their season around after a long winless streak is a fascinating topic, one often explored in our expert betting guide. Keller was solid in his only start against the Reds this season, allowing just one earned run over six innings.
The Pitching Matchup: A Deeper Look
Friday’s game features a fantastic duel between the high-octane rookie and the steady veteran. The scores and odds for this matchup will be tight.
| Pitcher | W-L (2025) | ERA (2025) | K/9 | HR/9 |
| Chase Burns (CIN) | 0-3 | 6.04 | 12.4 | 2.5 |
| Mitch Keller (PIT) | 5-10 | 3.89 | 8.5 | 1.1 |
Pittsburgh’s Punchless Problem
The biggest challenge for the Pirates has been their offense. They were shut out 7-0 in the series opener on Thursday by Paul Skenes and are ranked last in the majors in OPS, slugging percentage, and home runs. For a team trying to play the role of spoiler against their division rivals, they will need to find a way to generate some offense against the hard-throwing Burns. For more in-depth analysis of other games, you can view all of our MLB previews. To see who our experts are backing, check out our daily MLB picks. To get access to even more premium content and betting tools, you can register for an account today.
