The Cincinnati Reds outslugged the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-8 to take a 2-2 split in the four-game set. Miguel Andújar delivered his first Reds homer, a three-run shot that sparked a four-run second inning, and he helped spark a decisive rally in the sixth. Spencer Steer and Noelvi Marte each collected three hits and four RBIs, with Steer delivering a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth and a two-run homer in the eighth, while Marte added a tiebreaking double in the sixth and belted a three-run homer in the ninth. Elly De La Cruz and Andújar started the sixth with back-to-back singles to breathe life into Cincinnati. Pittsburgh mounted a late charge, cutting the deficit to 9-8 in the eighth, but Graham Ashcraft struck out Jared Triolo with a runner aboard to quell the threat. The Reds piled on with a five-run ninth as Marte launched a three-run homer. The game featured 30 total hits, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa leading Pittsburgh with three hits and two RBIs. Reds pitcher Zach Littell gave up four runs in 1 1/3 innings, while Cincinnati starter Zach Littell and Scott Barlow (6-0) were part of a rocky early stretch for the Reds' bullpen. Cincinnati stretched its streak of not being swept in 40 straight series dating back to last season, and now heads into a three-game home set with Philadelphia behind Andrew Abbott in a marquee pitching matchup against Taijuan Walker.

Paul Skenes delivered six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts as Pittsburgh blanked Cincinnati 7-0, dropping his ERA to 1.94 atop the NL. The rookie’s dominance, paired with a lineup that produced two-hit efforts from Reynolds, Triolo, and Davis, plus a homer by Reynolds and Peralta, fueled the win. Triolo’s first-inning RBI spree capped a multi-hit day for the Pirates trio. The performance reinforces Skenes as a frontline fantasy asset, especially with his season-long 162 Ks and sub-2.00 ERA.

Next up for Skenes is a likely start in Milwaukee or Chicago, as Pittsburgh eyes a three-game swing with the Brewers or Cubs. For fantasy managers, the line remains unchanged: elite ratios, heavy strikeouts, and innings already logged position him as a must-start. Reynolds, Davis, and Triolo each posted multi-hit outings, while Peralta joined the homer parade, underscoring a favorable offensive environment around Skenes in the near term.

The Boston Red Sox have traded infielder Enmanuel Valdéz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher Joe Vogatsky. This move comes after the Red Sox designated Valdéz for assignment to make room for catcher Carlos Narvaez.

Valdéz had a challenging 2024 season, hitting .214 with six home runs and a negative WAR. The Pirates hope he can regain his form, while Vogatsky, a recent draft pick, joins the Red Sox's farm system.