Game Preview: Cincinnati Reds Host Pittsburgh Pirates in Last Home Series of the Season

The Reds look to finish the season on a positive note.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) slides onto third base in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Braves won 7-1. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds (74-80) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (72-81) in their last home series of the season starting Friday night.

The Reds come into the series in fourth place in the National League Central Division while the Pirates currently sit in last place.

Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds on offense with an OPS of .816, 67 extra-base hits, and a league-leading 64 stolen bases.

Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates offensively with an OPS of .797 and 54 extra-base hits.

Reynolds has 15 career home runs against the Reds, more than any other team in the league.

Nick Martinez will start for the Reds on Friday night. The right-hander has had a phenomenal month of September, going 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA. He walked just four batters and struck out 18.

Mitch Keller will get the ball for the Reds. The 28-year-old is 11-10 with a 3.87 ERA this season. In his last start, he allowed four runs in six innings in a 5-1 loss to the Royals.

Keller has made two starts against the Reds this season, going 1-0 with a 2.113 ERA over 12 2/3 innings.

Game one of the series between the Reds and the Pirates will get start at 6:40 ET.

Game Notes

• The Reds are 10-7 against the September.
• The Reds are 21-25 against the National League Central Division this season.
• The Reds are 32-18 in series openers and 16-10 in series openers at home.

Make sure you bookmark Cincinnati Reds Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and daily coverage of the Cincinnati Reds!

You May Also Like:

Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Injury

Cincinnati Reds Legend Brandon Phillips is Making Major Impact in Retirement

Matt McLain Cleared to Swing, Not Yet Ready to Begin Rehab Assignment

Cincinnati Reds Free Agent Addition Appears on List No One Wants to Be On

Cincinnati Reds Have Four Prospects on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 List

Reds Top Prospect Rhett Lowder Has Another Dominant Outing in Double-A

Former Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Just Dropped in Latest Rankings 

Look: Cincinnati Reds Release 2025 Spring Training Schedule

Look: Cincinnati Reds Prospect Chase Petty Has Awesome Outing

Cincinnati Reds Legend Critical of Mindset and Expectations in Clubhouse 

Why Hunter Greene Deserves Real Cy Young Award Consideration This Season

Cincinnati Reds TJ Friedl Gets Hilarious Reaction After Hitting Home Run

Reds Infielder Jonathan India: A Tale of Peaks, Potential, and an Uncertain Future

Cincinnati Reds Bringing Back Familiar Face, Signing Tucker Barnhart to Contract

Watch: Cincinnati Reds Prospect Cam Collier Joins Intentional Talk on MLB Network

Cincinnati Reds Make it Official, Will Play Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway

Cincinnati Reds Release Complete Schedule for 2024 Regular Season

-----

Follow Inside the Reds on Twitter/X: @RedsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Reds Podcast

Follow on Instagram