Pirates at Reds Preview PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for a 6:40 p.m. first pitch at Great American Ball Park, with clear skies and a temperature of 76 degrees expected. Pittsburgh (55-54) enters the game with a .505 winning percentage, while Cincinnati (50-56) sits at .472. The Pirates have lost five of their last six games, including a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Right-hander Jared Jones took the loss in that outing, but the Pirates’ offense has struggled, scoring three or fewer runs in four of their last five contests. The most recent head-to-head series between these clubs was in late June, when the Pirates took two of three in Pittsburgh. Over nine meetings this season, the Pirates lead the series 5-4. Pittsburgh last visited Cincinnati for a three-game set March 30-April 1, splitting the series with a pair of 8-3 wins sandwiching a 2-0 loss in the opener. Players to Watch Pirates right-hander Jared Jones has been the definition of hard-luck this season. Over his last five starts, he has posted a 2.00 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 29 innings, yet has only two wins to show for it. He allowed one earned run over six innings in a win at Cleveland on July 17, then followed with a scoreless six-inning, eight-strikeout performance against Atlanta on July 8 (Interstat) — a game Pittsburgh lost 3-0. Jones will look to reverse his fortunes against a Reds lineup that has produced inconsistent run support. Reds right-handed reliever Jose Franco has been a bright spot in Cincinnati’s bullpen. In his most recent outing Tuesday against Cleveland, he threw 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. Franco has not allowed a run in his last four appearances and could be called upon in a high-leverage situation Thursday. Betting Line Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 Reds victory. Pittsburgh is a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5, and the over/under is set at 9.5 runs. Upcoming Schedule After Thursday’s opener, the Pirates and Reds continue their four-game series Friday through Sunday. Pittsburgh then travels to Milwaukee for four games Aug. 3-6, followed by a six-game homestand against the Mets and Nationals. Cincinnati hosts the Athletics for three games Aug. 4-6 before a seven-game road trip to Washington and the Chicago White Sox.