Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds – April 1, 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates put a hurting on the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, winning 8-3 and evening up the series. This afternoon the two teams will complete the series with the winning taking a victory for the 3-game set. First pitch is set for 12:40pm ET if the weather is willing to play nice.

Starting Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Stats are from 2025.

Andrew Abbott

2025 saw Andrew Abbott make the NL All-Star team and it was well deserved. The lefty had a great first half and while he didn’t keep the same results through the second half he still put together an outstanding season overall with an ERA of 2.87 on the year and he finished 8th in the National League Cy Young voting.

During the 2025 season Abbott pitched better at home, where his ERA was 2.39 in 16 starts. His platoon splits aren’t as big as you may expect for a left-handed pitcher. Righties do have a better OPS against him but it’s only by 60 points and it’s basically all because they hit for a bit more power – though it’s still not much power at all.

2025 Splits

2025 Pitch Usage

Paul Skenes

In the only start from Skenes this year he deal with some poor defense in center and couldn’t make it out of the first inning after two misplayed balls extended the inning, leading to him giving up five runs and recording just two outs. His control wasn’t exactly there, either, as he walked two batters and hit another on Opening Day. Given his history I wouldn’t expect to see something like that again.

The 2-time All-Star entered the year with a 1.97 ERA for his career in 320.2 innings. Last season he won the Cy Young Award for his efforts at age 23. Skenes is dominant on the road and at home. He’s also very, very good against both lefties and righties. But left-handed hitters do hit better against him. They walk more often and they do hit for more power (but still almost no power).

2025 Splits

2025 Pitch Usage 

When and Where

• Game time: 12:40pm ET
• Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
• Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market). You can check your zip code here and find out who carries the Reds MLB Channel in your area if you are unsure.
• Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 71°, cloudy, 70% chance of rain

News and Notes

The ABS Challenge system

There have only been five games played so far this season by the Reds, but they’ve spent those five games challenging balls and strikes more than anyone else in the National League. Only the Yankees hitters have more challenges than the Reds hitters. Not only have both teams challenged plenty of calls, they’ve both been very successful, too. The Reds are 7-for-9 from their hitters. Their catchers are 1-for-2. You can see the full team leaderboards here.

Down on the Farm – Things are going well

Last night the Louisville Bats moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2001. They didn’t get there easily, though. They got a game tying 2-run home run from Edwin Arroyo in the bottom of the 9th before Rece Hinds hit a walk-off home run later in the inning. Over at RedsMinorLeagues.com we covered it all and have tons of notes from the game and about several of the players who played in last night’s game.

Division Standings