The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to Great American Ball Park on Sunday, August 2, 2026, for a 1:40 PM ET afternoon showdown. Chase Burns takes the hill for Cincinnati against Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller in what shapes up as a compelling NL Central divisional matchup. With Elly De La Cruz leading off and a deep lineup behind him, the Reds have the offensive pieces to do damage. Divisional games in August carry real weight in the standings, and this one is no exception.

Pitching Matchup: Chase Burns vs. Mitch Keller

Chase Burns gets the ball for the Reds in what is always a marquee assignment — a Sunday afternoon home game against a division rival. Burns has been one of the more closely watched young arms in the Cincinnati rotation, and his ability to control the zone and miss bats will be central to how this game unfolds.

On the other side, Mitch Keller has been Pittsburgh's most reliable starting pitcher for several seasons now. Keller is a legitimate innings-eater who works with a varied arsenal and won't give the Reds anything easy. He has a history of competing hard in divisional games, so the Cincinnati lineup will need to be disciplined and patient to get to him early.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup

• 1. Elly De La Cruz — SS
• 2. Sal Stewart — 1B
• 3. JJ Bleday — LF
• 4. Tyler Stephenson — C
• 5. Nathaniel Lowe — DH
• 6. Dane Myers — CF
• 7. Noelvi Marte — RF
• 8. Matt McLain — 2B
• 9. Ke'Bryan Hayes — 3B

Keys to Watch for the Reds

Elly De La Cruz Setting the Table

De La Cruz at the top of the order is a matchup problem for any pitcher. His combination of speed and raw power means Keller cannot afford to make mistakes early in counts. If De La Cruz gets on base, the Pirates' defense and battery have to account for his threat on the basepaths immediately.

Tyler Stephenson in the Cleanup Spot

Stephenson hitting fourth signals the offensive responsibility placed on him in this lineup construction. He is the run-producer the Reds are leaning on to cash in runners. How he handles Keller's mix — particularly with runners on base — could define the game's middle innings.

Burns Limiting Pittsburgh's Lineup

The Pirates are not a team to overlook. Burns will need to establish his fastball early and keep Pittsburgh from stringing together crooked innings. Keeping the game close through five or six innings gives the Reds bullpen a chance to protect a lead.

Nathaniel Lowe and the Middle of the Order

With Lowe slotted fifth as the designated hitter, there is real run-producing depth behind Stephenson. If Keller is forced to work around the middle of this order rather than through it, the Reds can do serious damage.

Prediction

This is a winnable Sunday afternoon game for Cincinnati at home. Burns versus Keller is a quality pitching duel on paper, but Great American Ball Park and a lineup that starts with De La Cruz give the Reds the edge. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring game that comes down to a key at-bat in the sixth or seventh inning. Reds 4, Pirates 2. Catch all the action on Reds.TV or on WLW 700 AM.