The Cincinnati Reds will begin a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at PNC Park. We're here to share our MLB odds series, and make a Reds-Pirates prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

Reds-Pirates Projected Starters 

Carson Spiers vs. Paul Skenes

Carson Spiers (0-0) with a 2.33 ERA

Last Start: Spiers tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings while allowing four hits, striking out seven, and walking one in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. Ultimately, he had struggled over four starts until this one.

2024 Road Splits: Spiers is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA over his one start away from the Great American Ballpark.

Paul Skenes (3-0) with a 2.43 ERA

Last Start: Skenes dominated in his last outing, tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings while allowing five hits and striking out eight in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals. Overall, he has tossed four quality starts in his last five outings.

2024 Home Splits: Skenes is slightly worse at PNC Park but has been the beneficiary of good sun-support as he is 1-0 with a 4.20 ERA over three starts at PNC Park.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Reds-Pirates Odds

Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-128)

Moneyline: +158

Pittsburgh Pirates: -1.5 (+106)

Moneyline: -188

Over: 8 (-114)

Under: 8 (-106)

How to Watch Reds vs. Pirates

Time: 6:40 PM ET/3:40 PM PT

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Reds Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Reds have not had a good season, partially due to injuries at key positions. Unfortunately, they lost Matt McClain at the start of the season, and he is not due back until August at the earliest. Christian Encarnacion-Strand also suffered an injury last month and has missed significant time. Therefore, these injuries have plummeted their efforts, leaving their offense gasping for air.

The Reds are 27th in batting average, 20th in on-base percentage, 15th in runs, and 18th in home runs, and 19th in slugging percentage. Sadly, they just have not been doing enough to get runs across the board despite having one of the most electrifying players in the league.

Elly De La Cruz is still a force and one of the best in the league. Ultimately, he was hitting just .230 with 11 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 44 runs entering Sunday. But Da Le Cruz also drew 33 walks and had 35 stolen bases, and we are not even at the halfway point yet. While he has not made great contact consistently, he has found other ways to get on base. But De La Cruz has also struggled against the Pirates in his career. Unfortunately, he is hitting just .231 with six hits, one home run, four RBIs, and five runs over six games against them.

The only other realistic option on offense is Jonathan India. Significantly, he is batting .300 with 39 hits, four home runs, 20 RBIs, and 32 runs over 38 games in his career against the Pirates.

The Reds have stayed alive because of their pitching. Overall, Cincinnati is 12th in team ERA. Their relievers have also been stout. Amazingly, they are eighth in the league in team ERA.

The Reds will cover the spread if De La Cruz can get the wheels going and get the Reds on the board. Then, they need a good outing from Spiers.

Why The Pirates Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Pirates are in the crowded wildcard race in the National League. While they have not shown consistency, they have been solid in some aspects of the game. However, their offense has been woeful at times, hindering their ability to win games.

The Pirates' batting average is 25th. They are also 26th in on-base percentage and slugging percentage and 23rd in runs and home runs. Currently, they have three players who can make a difference.

Bryan Reynolds is a solid hitter. Yet, he is hitting just .254 with 58 hits, 13 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 42 runs over 69 games against the Reds in his career. Connor Joe has done well against the Pirates, with an OPS of .794 against them. Moreover, he is batting .318 with 14 hits, one home run, seven RBIs, and seven runs over 13 games against the Reds. Ke'Bryan Hayes has an OPS of .801 against the Reds. Additionally, he is hitting .273 with 18 hits, one home run, four RBIs, and seven runs over 18 games against the Reds in his career.

The Pirates will cover the spread if Reynolds, Joe, and Hayes can clobber the baseball. Then, they need Skenes to toss a good game.

Final Reds-Pirates Prediction & Pick

The Pirates went 8-5 against the Reds in 2023. Likewise, they went 5-2 over seven games at PNC Park against the Reds. Neither team has done particularly well against the rest of the league this season. Also, they have not shown consistency. But Skenes is the better pitcher. As long as he does not let De La Cruz get on base, he should cruise. The Reds don't have any other weapons that can do significant damage without De La Cruz pushing them. Pirates cruise and cover the spread.

Click here for more betting news and predictions

Final Reds-Pirates Prediction & Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates: -1.5 (+106)