Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, June 26, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to keep their winning streak alive as they begin a series with the Cincinnati Reds. After winning two of three against the Mariners earlier in the week, the Pirates welcome the Reds to town for a divisional series that could dictate how the NL Central wraps up later in the year.
Paul Skenes is on the mound for the Pirates, but that hasn’t boded well for the Buccos over his last seven starts. The last time the Pirates won a game in which Skenes started came back on May
12 against the Colorado Rockies. Since then, the Pirates have not been able to win with Skenes on the mound. In five of those seven games, Skenes has picked up the loss, including in each of his last two appearances.
The Reds will counter with Andrew Abbott, who has pitched at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts. Abbott is coming off a win against the New York Yankees in his last start on June 20, when he gave up five hits and one earned run in a 10-2 victory at Yankee Stadium.
This is Abbott’s second start against the Pirates this season. In his last start against the Pirates on April 1, he pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five hits and four earned runs in an 8-3 victory for Pittsburgh.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Andrew Abbott (5-4, 3.83 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (6-7, 2.86 ERA)
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