MLB Baseball BETTING PREVIEW - Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates

MLB Baseball

2026-06-27 - Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates
United States : Major League Baseball
Saturday 27th June 2026 - Scheduled 4:05pm EST
9:05pm (British Time)

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Preview

Unlike the other big North American sports, the Major League Baseball trade deadline is a big deal every year without fail- other sports do have some big moves made within them, but those won't usually come down to the trade deadline. Instead those will be made in the off-season (NFL) or pretty early on in the regular season (NBA), but the Major League Baseball deadline has been much different with it coming as late as it does in the regular season.

However, there is a real fear that this could be a much quieter year than normal and that is because outside of a handful of elite teams and a handful of bad teams, every other team may feel a Playoff push is within them.

The halfway mark of the regular season should bring about some separation, but that has not been the case in 2026 and that is underlined by the fact that teams like the Boston Red Sox are only 5 games out of the Wild Card picture, despite being twelve games under 0.500.

The trade deadline is in early August and so there is still a time for some separation and for teams to make big decisions. Two of those that could choose to be sellers continue this National League Central series when the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-41) host the Cincinnati Reds (38-42) and looking to bounce back from a 6-4 opening defeat.

These two teams are just 3 and 5 games respectively outside of the Wild Card positions and so the Divisional series over the course of the season becomes that much more important.

Pittsburgh will turn to Jared Jones who has a 1-1 record and 5.75 ERA in his five starts made in 2026 having returned after missing the entirety of 2025, which was supposed to be his second year in the Major League. He made twenty-two starts in his rookie season, but Jared Jones is working his way back up to this level following the long layoff.

Jared Jones has not been asked to work too many Innings, but he has to be credited for showing a bit more solid form in the outings in June. There has been one rough start where he allowed five runs in 4 Innings to absorb the decision loss, but Jones has not allowed more than two runs in any of the other three starts.

This will be the second time Jared Jones has started against the Cincinnati Reds and the first in two years- he allowed six runs in 5 Innings thrown in 2024 and absorbed the decision loss.

The Cincinnati Reds will counter through Chase Burns who has a 9-1 record and 2.00 ERA in fifteen starts in his second season in the Major League. Unsurprisingly, it feels like Burns could be a big part of the pitching rotation for years to come and he has shown significant growth from his rookie season.

Chase Burns has allowed more than two runs in just one start this season and in none of the last twelve starts made, which has built up momentum and confidence within this young pitcher. He has won consecutive starts against the New York Mets, while Burns has a 1-0 record in two starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates this season having kept them scoreless through 12 Innings thrown.

With an ailing bullpen, Cincinnati will be looking for Chase Burns to not just lay a foundation for the win, but perhaps add some fixtures and fittings by going deep into this game.

The Pirates had won five in a row against the Cincinnati Reds before the defeat on Friday.

Prediction

Sophomore pitchers can take big leaps from the rookie season, but they are still young players and that means you have to watch out for when they may hit the wall.

That will be the one concern around Chase Burns, despite the quality starts being racked up.

He is facing the Pittsburgh Pirates for a third time in 2026 and that does mean the batting lineup have more knowledge about him, although Chase Burns has won those battles.

It could lead to another Cincinnati win as they look to close back up to 0.500 for the season.

The Pick :

Pittsburgh Pirates 2-4 Cincinnati Reds

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Cincinnati Reds to Win at -109 with Bookmaker.eu