CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The Cincinnati Reds continue their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday evening at PNC Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT under a forecast of rain and temperatures near 48 degrees. Cincinnati (20-11) currently sits atop the National League Central standings, while Pittsburgh (16-16) has dropped four consecutive games. The Pirates took Friday’s series opener 1-0, evening the season series at two wins apiece. The Reds won the previous two meetings at home in late March before Pittsburgh’s road victory Wednesday and Friday’s shutout. Right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-1, 3.18 ERA) is scheduled to start for Cincinnati, though the club has also listed right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (1-2, 4.50 ERA) as a probable pitcher. Lowder has been sharp in recent outings, posting a 2.38 ERA over his last three starts. The Pirates will counter with a starter to be announced later. Left-hander Andrew Abbott has been a bright spot for the Reds out of the bullpen and as a spot starter. In his most recent appearance Thursday against Colorado, Abbott threw six innings of two-run ball, striking out five in a 6-4 win. Over his last three outings, he has worked 14 2/3 innings with a 2.45 ERA, though he struggled April 12 against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing seven earned runs in three innings. For the Pirates, second baseman Brandon Lowe has been one of the team’s few consistent hitters. He went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in Thursday’s 10-5 loss to St. Louis. Over his last 10 games, Lowe is batting .263 with three extra-base hits and four RBIs. He is hitting .236 on the season with six homers and 18 RBIs. Both teams enter the weekend with injury concerns. The weather may also play a factor, as rain is expected throughout the evening in Pittsburgh. The game is the second of a three-game set. The series concludes Sunday afternoon before both clubs have Monday off. Cincinnati then travels to Chicago for a five-game series against the Cubs beginning Monday. Pittsburgh heads to Arizona for a three-game set starting Tuesday. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Cincinnati 6, Pittsburgh 3. The Pirates entered Saturday as a -1.5 favorite on the run line, with the over/under set at 8 runs.