On the evening of September 20, 2024, the Pittsburgh Pirates will square off against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park, starting at 6:40 PM under a sky of scattered clouds.

Leading the charge on the mound for the Pirates is Mitch Keller, who carries a respectable ERA of 3.872 into the game. Nick Martinez will counter for the Reds, entering the matchup with an impressive ERA of 3.366.

As we look at the NL Central Division standings for 2024, the Pirates are currently 12th with a record of 72-81, translating into a .47 winning percentage, and positioned 5th in the division with a 23-23 record against divisional foes. Their current form includes a modest five wins in their last ten outings, complemented by a single-win streak. On their travels, they’ve posted a 34-41 record, while hosting teams have yielded them a slightly better 38-40 record. The Pirates have scored 636 runs and conceded 699 runs so far.

The Reds, slightly ahead, sit 11th in the standings with a 74-80 record, reflecting a .48 win percentage, and 4th in the division with a 21-25 record against division opponents. Their recent performance mirrors that of the Pirates, with five wins in their last ten games but currently facing a two-game losing streak. At home, their record stands at 37-41 and 37-39 on the road. Collectively, they’ve scored 678 runs and allowed 673.

Turning to the betting odds for this game: the point spread is set at -1.5, with an over/under of 9.0 runs. The Pirates (away team) have a money line of +106, indicating a slight underdog status compared to the Reds who are positioned at -124 at home. The settings suggest a tightly contested game, hinting that betting enthusiasts could expect a closely fought battle, potentially leaning towards a Reds’ favorable outcome but not discounting an upset by the Pirates.