The Cincinnati Reds head to the West Coast for a Monday night matchup against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET. Chase Burns gets the ball for Cincinnati in what is a significant regular-season road assignment. San Francisco has not announced a probable starter for the home side. The game airs nationally on FS1 and locally on Reds.TV, with radio coverage available on WLW 700 for Reds fans back in Cincinnati.
Reds at Giants: Monday August 24, 2026 Game Preview
Oracle Park is one of the more demanding venues in the National League for a visiting club. The ballpark's marine layer, cool evening temperatures, and spacious outfield gaps tend to suppress run scoring — a factor that could play into how both managers deploy their bullpens and approach late-game situations. For a Reds club making a cross-country trip, getting a strong start from Burns is the most direct path to keeping this game manageable.
Chase Burns Takes the Mound for Cincinnati
Burns draws the start for the Reds, and all eyes will be on how he handles a Giants lineup in a ballpark that rewards pitchers who work to contact and trust their defense. No updated ERA or win-loss record is available for Burns heading into this one, so we'll let the performance speak for itself when he takes the mound Monday night.
San Francisco has yet to name a starter, which introduces a degree of uncertainty for the Reds' advance preparation. Facing an unannounced pitcher can cut both ways — lineups can't lock in a specific game plan, but the Giants' opener or starter will still have to execute.
Keys to Watch for the Reds
- Burns' command early: Getting ahead in counts against the Giants lineup will be critical, particularly if San Francisco is running out a left-handed heavy order against a right-handed pitcher.
- Road offense at a pitcher-friendly park: Oracle Park suppresses offense, so the Reds will need to manufacture runs when opportunities arise rather than waiting for the big inning.
- Bullpen management: With a 9:45 PM ET first pitch, this is a late night regardless. How Cincinnati manages its relief arms in a cross-country road game matters.
- Giants' mystery starter: Watch the pregame lineup card closely. Knowing whether San Francisco goes with a conventional starter or an opener changes how the Reds should approach the first few innings.
Prediction
Chase Burns taking the ball on the road at a pitcher-friendly venue sets up a competitive, lower-scoring ballgame. Without confirmed stats for either pitcher, making a confident run-total projection isn't responsible — but the setting alone suggests this is a game decided by a run or two. The Reds have enough on the mound with Burns to stay in it. Edge: Reds, in a close one.
