Pirates at Reds in pivotal wild-card showdown as Lodolo, Ashcraft duel
Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh with playoff implications on the line; Lodolo's recent struggles and Ashcraft's road form shape betting and expectations.
In Cincinnati, the Pirates visit the Reds for a pivotal late-season series as the National League wild-card race tightens. Cincinnati is trying to lock down a postseason berth, while Pittsburgh looks to spoil the Reds' surge and complicate the path to the playoffs for other contenders. Betting markets reflect the series' significance, with BetMGM listing the Pirates at +145 to win the game, underscoring the underdog case in a stadium that is often loud when a late-season shuffle is on the line.
Two pitchers loom large in the matchup. Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo, who wears No. 40, has struggled of late, surrendering nine earned runs on 17 hits across his past 10 innings and going 0-2 in his last five starts. Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft has allowed eight runs over 32 1/3 innings on the road. The game is likely to hinge on early support and how quickly each club can stabilize its bullpen, with both managers carefully plotting innings for a potentially tight, late-inning finish.
Ahead of first pitch, teams have varying motivations. Cincinnati wants to pad its postseason cushion and maintain a lead in the wild-card standings, while Pittsburgh seeks to pull off a statement victory that could reshape the remaining schedule. The outcome could influence bullpen use in the next few days as both clubs map out their rotation plans for a crucial stretch run. The Pirates will rely on a mix of timely hits and bold baserunning if Lodolo gives them chances; the Reds will try to keep the ball in the park and convert scoring opportunities into multi-run innings.
Across the league, the late-season race continues to tighten with every game. While Lodolo attempts to end a rough stretch and Ashcraft works to keep his road numbers steady, the Pirates offense will try to exploit any lapse, and the Reds will rely on timely hitting and a steady bullpen to finish the job. Baseball fans watching the series should expect a competitive, late-inning battle that could swing the balance of the wild-card chase.
