Reds face Pirates in final home series of 2024

The Cincinnati Reds will wrap up their final homestand of the 2024 regular season by welcoming the Pittsburgh Pirates to town for a weekend series.

The final three games at Great American Ball Park this season will be Cincinnati's chance to collect a few more wins in this NL Central matchup. The Pirates lead the head-to-head series this season with seven wins in 10 meetings.

While odds for this weekend series aren’t yet available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, both teams will be looking to finish the season strong for some momentum heading into 2025.

Here is a look at how these two teams stack up entering this NL Central battle:

Friday

• First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Projected starting pitchers: TBD vs. Nick Martinez

Martinez, who joined the rotation in early August after being a reliever for much of the year, is 9-6 with a 3.37 ERA. As a starter, he is 4-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 14 outings, striking out 58 batters and walking 12 across 75 innings.

Martinez enters this weekend in solid form. He held the Minnesota Twins to one run on three hits across six innings in his previous start. Before that performance, Martinez spun seven shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves.

Saturday

• First pitch: 1:10 p.m. ET
• Projected starting pitchers: TBD vs. Rhett Lowder

Lowder continues to make his case to be a part of Cincinnati’s rotation in 2025.

The rookie right-hander has started four games for the Reds since late August, recording a 1.74 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings of work. Lowder gave up three runs on six hits against the Twins on Sunday, but that was the first time he had allowed more than one run in the Majors.

Lowder hasn’t pitched at home since Sept. 5, when he spun 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Houston Astros. He will try to replicate that showing in a matinee matchup against the Pirates.

Sunday

• First pitch: 1:10 p.m. ET
• Projected starting pitchers: TBD

Brandon Williamson landed on the IL after injuring his elbow in Tuesday’s start against the Atlanta Braves, so it remains to be seen who will take his place in the rotation for Sunday’s home finale.

But it will be the final time for Cincinnati fans to watch Elly De La Cruz in person. The talented shortstop continues to put on a show, particularly when running the bases. He leads all of baseball with 64 stolen bases this year.

For context, De La Cruz entered the year with an over/under of 39.5 stolen bases at BetMGM’s online sportsbook. He’s unlikely to have a prop total that low in 2025.

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