Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, July 30, 2026, 7:10 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to snap their two-game losing streak as they take on the Cincinnati Reds in the first of a four-game set in Cincinnati.
The Pirates are doing something a bit unorthodox going into the matchup: handing the ball to Johan Ramirez for the first start of his career. Ramirez has appeared in 208 MLB games across seven seasons but has never been given the ball to start a game. This indicates that the Pirates are going to have a bullpen day today, which could be an interesting
strategy going into a long series.
Today’s game will mark the fourth time Ramirez has pitched against the Reds this season. He gave up no hits and no runs back in March, but gave up a run on May 2. He pitched two scoreless innings against the Reds on June 27. Look for him to go about two innings or so in tonight’s contest before handing the ball off to someone else.
Rhett Lowder is getting the ball for the Reds. He last pitched on July 24 against the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching five innings, giving up a hit and two earned runs in a 4-2 victory. Lowder has not won a game since April 20, so he will look to snap out of the funk he’s been in for most of the year.
Lowder pitched against the Pirates back on May 2, giving up five hits and eight earned runs in a 17-7 loss at PNC Park. If the Pirates can chase him out early once again, Pittsburgh should start the series off on the right foot.
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Yohan Ramirez (6-3, 3.21 ERA) vs. Rhett Lowder (3-7, 5.61 ERA)
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