Reds vs Pirates 2025: 7 Essential Facts You Must Know Now
The Reds vs Pirates rivalry is heating up for 2025! Discover 7 essential facts about the players, stats, and history you need to know before first pitch.
Jake Miller
A lifelong baseball analyst specializing in NL Central dynamics and player development.
The NL Central is Heating Up: Why the Reds-Pirates Rivalry is Must-See TV in 2025
Forget the coastal elites and the high-payroll powerhouses for a moment. The most electrifying, down-and-dirty rivalry bubbling up in Major League Baseball is flowing right through the heart of the Ohio River Valley. The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, two proud, historic franchises built on grit, are finally seeing their rebuilds collide, and the 2025 season is shaping up to be the flashpoint.
For years, this matchup was a battle for the NL Central basement. Now, it’s a clash of electrifying young superstars, clashing philosophies, and a genuine fight for divisional relevance. This isn’t just another series on the calendar; it’s a preview of the National League’s future. Before you settle in for the first pitch, these are the seven essential facts you absolutely must know about the Reds vs. Pirates showdown in 2025.
Fact 1: The Battle of the Unbelievable Cruzes
This rivalry has its new poster boys, and they share more than a last name. Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz and Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz are physical marvels who defy what we thought was possible on a baseball field. They are both towering shortstops who generate physics-breaking exit velocities and arm strength. Seeing them on the same field isn’t just a game; it’s a spectacle.
Elly, with his blinding speed and raw power, can turn a single into a triple in the blink of an eye. Oneil possesses perhaps the strongest infield arm in baseball history and hits the ball harder than anyone. The 2025 season will be a critical development year for both. Can Elly cut down on his strikeouts to unlock his MVP potential? Can Oneil stay healthy and refine his approach to become the middle-of-the-order force the Pirates need? Every head-to-head game is a direct comparison of these two franchise cornerstones.
Fact 2: A Tale of Two Rebuilds
Both teams tore it down to the studs, but they took different paths to get here. Understanding their philosophies is key to appreciating their 2025 rosters.
- The Reds' Approach: High-Octane Offense. Cincinnati went all-in on acquiring high-upside, toolsy athletes. They prioritized power and speed, accepting the risk of strikeouts and defensive growing pains. Players like De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte (upon his return) represent this philosophy. They aim to out-slug their opponents in their hitter-friendly ballpark.
- The Pirates' Approach: Pitching and Patience. Pittsburgh’s front office, led by Ben Cherington, has focused on building a sustainable pitching pipeline. The selections of pitchers like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones at the top of the draft are the prime examples. They’ve been more methodical, building a foundation on the mound with the belief that consistent, quality pitching is the fastest way to contention.
In 2025, we see these competing visions clash. Can the Reds’ explosive offense overwhelm the Pirates’ burgeoning arms? Or will Pittsburgh’s pitching staff silence the Cincy bats?
Fact 3: The Fight for NL Central Supremacy
For the better part of a decade, the NL Central has been ruled by the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, with the Chicago Cubs also in the mix. The Reds and Pirates were afterthoughts. That era is over. 2025 is the year where one of these two teams can make a definitive leap into the top half of the division. Finishing above .500 isn't just a goal; it's an expectation. The winner of the Reds-Pirates season series will have a significant leg up in shedding the “rebuilding” tag and earning the right to be called a legitimate contender.
Fact 4: Projected Pitching Duels of the Future
While the lineups are exciting, the matchups on the mound are just as compelling. We're on the cusp of seeing some truly epic pitching duels between these two clubs for years to come. Here’s a look at the projected top-of-the-rotation arms you’ll see in 2025.
| Pitcher | Team | Primary Weapon | 2025 Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Greene | Reds | 102+ MPH Fastball | Poised for a true ace-level season if he can maintain command and health. |
| Paul Skenes | Pirates | 101 MPH Fastball + "Splinker" | The most hyped pitching prospect in a generation. Expected to be a Cy Young contender from day one. |
| Nick Lodolo | Reds | Sweeping Curveball | A crafty lefty whose stuff plays way up. Health is the only question mark for this top-tier arm. |
| Jared Jones | Pirates | Devastating Slider | Burst onto the scene with elite stuff. He and Skenes form a terrifying 1-2 punch for the future. |
A Greene vs. Skenes matchup will be appointment television, a throwback to the days of raw power duels on the mound.
Fact 5: The Unsung Heroes Ready to Emerge
Superstars sell tickets, but depth wins championships. Beyond the Cruzes and the aces, keep an eye on the supporting cast members who are poised for a breakout. For the Reds, a player like Christian Encarnacion-Strand has immense power and could become a consistent 30-homer threat. On the Pirates' side, former first-round pick Nick Gonzales at second base is looking to finally put it all together and provide a much-needed offensive spark to complement the team's pitching.
Fact 6: How the Ballparks Shape the Game
The home stadiums for these two teams couldn't be more different, and it dramatically impacts strategy.
- Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati): A notorious launching pad. The short porches in left and right field make it one of the most homer-friendly parks in MLB. The Reds are built for it, but it also means their pitchers have no room for error. Fly balls that are outs elsewhere can easily become home runs here.
- PNC Park (Pittsburgh): Widely considered one of the most beautiful ballparks, it's also much more pitcher-friendly. The deep left-center field (the “North Side Notch”) turns doubles into triples and rewards gap hitters. It’s a park that favors strong pitching and solid defense, which aligns perfectly with the Pirates' team-building strategy.
When the Pirates visit Cincy, their pitchers must be perfect. When the Reds travel to Pittsburgh, their power-heavy lineup is tested. It's a fascinating strategic wrinkle to the rivalry.
Fact 7: Reigniting a Historic Fire
This isn't a new rivalry; it's a dormant one. Fans with long memories will recall the epic battles of the 1970s between the Big Red Machine and the “Lumber and Lightning” Pirates. More recently, the tension boiled over in the 2013 NL Wild Card game, a black-out event at PNC Park where the Pirates vanquished the Reds in a pressure-cooker atmosphere.
The animosity from that era has simmered, but it never truly disappeared. With both teams now young, talented, and hungry, the 2025 season is the perfect catalyst to reignite that old fire. The players are new, but the logos are the same, and the passion in the fanbases is just waiting for a meaningful game to explode. Every hard slide, every staredown, every benches-clearing incident (and there will be some) will have decades of history behind it.
Conclusion: A Rivalry Reborn
The Reds and Pirates are no longer rebuilding. They are arriving. The 2025 season marks a pivotal chapter in their shared history, moving the battle from the draft lottery to the divisional standings. It’s a clash of styles, a showcase of baseball’s most exciting young talent, and a return to relevance for two of the sport's most storied franchises.
So when you see Reds vs. Pirates on the schedule, don't just see it as another game. See it for what it is: a glimpse into the future of the National League and a rivalry reborn. Who do you think will win the season series?