Player Rankings for Pirates vs Reds – 4/12/25

Pittsburgh Pirates

@

Cincinnati Reds

As the Cincinnati Reds prepare to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 12, 2025, both teams find themselves mired in a disappointing start to the season, each holding a record of 5-8. This National League Central matchup is the second game in the series, and the stakes are high for both sides as they look to turn their seasons around. In their last meeting, the Reds fell short, continuing their struggles as they aim to snap a losing streak.

Cincinnati will send Andrew Abbott to the mound, who is projected to pitch an average of 5.4 innings while allowing 2.5 earned runs. Though he ranks 148th among MLB starters, Abbott’s projections indicate he could be effective, especially against a Pirates lineup that has also been underwhelming. He faces Andrew Heaney, who is similarly ranked poorly and is expected to pitch around 5.1 innings while allowing an average of 2.7 earned runs.

Both pitchers struggle with hits and walks, which could lead to scoring opportunities for the offenses. Abbott projects to allow 4.7 hits and 1.9 walks, while Heaney is expected to give up 4.9 hits and 1.8 walks. This could be a key factor in a game where both lineups have shown flashes of potential but have not consistently converted those opportunities into runs.

For Cincinnati, their best hitter has shown some promise recently, with a .375 batting average and a 1.194 OPS over the last week. Conversely, Pittsburgh’s best hitter has also been productive, boasting a .316 batting average and 1.041 OPS. The projections suggest that the Reds have a slight edge in this matchup, making them an intriguing option for bettors looking for value as they seek to break free from their current rut.

Pittsburgh Pirates Insights

• Andrew Heaney – Over/Under Strikeouts
  Andrew Heaney has gone to his curveball 17% more often this season (20.7%) than he did last year (3.7%).
  Explain: Because curveballs are one of the most effective pitches to use, a pitcher who alters his pitch mix to use more of them will often see more success as a result.

Cincinnati Reds Insights

• Among every team on the slate today, the weakest infield defense is that of the Cincinnati Reds.
  Explain: Defense is an integral part of preventing (or, in this case, allowing) hits and runs.