The Cincinnati Reds close out their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Great American Ball Park, with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET. Chase Burns gets the ball for Cincinnati against Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller in what shapes up as a compelling NL Central matchup. Every game between these two division rivals carries weight in the standings, and with the Reds at home in front of their fans on a summer Sunday afternoon, the energy on the banks of the Ohio should be worth the trip to the ballpark.
Probable Starters: Chase Burns vs. Mitch Keller
Burns gets the nod for the Reds in this one. The right-hander has been one of the more closely watched arms in Cincinnati's rotation, and a strong outing here against a division opponent would do a lot to set the tone heading into the back half of the season. Sunday starts at home are moments young starters build careers on, and Burns will have every opportunity to make a statement.
Keller is a proven commodity for the Pirates. The Pittsburgh right-hander has been one of the more consistent starters in the NL Central over recent seasons, and he's the kind of pitcher who can make a Reds lineup work for every run it gets. Keller doesn't beat himself — he throws strikes, works through lineups efficiently, and punishes hitters who aren't locked in from the first pitch.
Keys to Watch for the Cincinnati Reds
- Chase Burns's command: Against a disciplined Pittsburgh lineup, Burns will need to be sharp early. Getting ahead in counts and keeping the Pirates off the bases will be critical to keeping this game close through the middle innings.
- Generating offense against Keller: Keller's ability to limit damage means the Reds need to be aggressive when opportunities arise. Stringing together at-bats, working deep counts, and capitalizing on any mistake pitch will be the formula against him.
- Bullpen management: Sunday afternoon games can have a way of turning on bullpen decisions. How Cincinnati's manager deploys the relief corps once Burns exits could ultimately decide this one.
- Home crowd energy: Great American Ball Park on a Sunday afternoon in August is one of the better environments in the NL Central. The Reds play better at home, and a packed house can absolutely influence momentum swings in a tight game.
Prediction
This figures to be a low-scoring, pitcher-driven game. Keller will make the Reds earn every run, and Burns has the capability to match him. Give the edge to Cincinnati at home. The Reds take this one in a tight contest, 3-2, with Burns delivering a quality start and the bullpen closing it out. Reds win.
Catch the game on Reds.TV or listen on WLW 700 AM.
