Rhett Lowder takes the mound, Graham Ashcraft returns as Reds face Pirates on Saturday

TL;DR

Rhett Lowder will start for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, following a tough loss. Graham Ashcraft returns from the bereavement list to bolster the bullpen.

Key points

Rhett Lowder starts for the Reds against the Pirates
Graham Ashcraft returns from the bereavement list
Reds suffered a 9-1 loss in the previous game
First pitch is at 4:05 PM ET

Cincinnati RedsPittsburgh PiratesRhett LowderGraham Ashcraft

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds looks to receive the ball against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Friday night’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t have gone much worse for the Cincinnati Reds. First, they sat out a lengthy rain delay in PNC Park and eventually waded into a drubbing at the hands of the Bucs in cool temperatures, their arms and bats looking as soggy as the 9-1 scoreline. Brady Singer got rocked, again. Zach Maxwell was rudely welcomed back to the big league mound. The 2 through 5 spots in the Reds lineup combined to go 0 for 16 with nary a walk, with the entire Reds lineup mustering only a lone walk and trio of hits on the night. It was perhaps the ugliest loss of the year, especially given the company. Cincinnati will look to bounce back on Saturday, however, and will do so with rookie Rhett Lowder on the bump to start. Pittsburgh will counter with righty , against whom previous Reds lineups have struggled mightily. In 8 career starts against Mlodzinski, Cincinnati batters have posted a combined .214/.267/.321 line with nary a homer. Lucky for *these* Reds, though, they’ve now got both and anchoring the middle of their lineup. The Reds will also welcome back bullpen anchor , who was activated off the bereavement list prior to the start of this one. Maxwell was optioned back to AAA Louisville on the other side of that ledger, with the Reds noting that he’ll now be teammates with as the latter takes his rehab tour up to the AAA level. First pitch on Saturday is slated for a 4:05 PM ET start.

Q&A

What time is the Reds vs Pirates game on Saturday?

The game is scheduled to start at 4:05 PM ET.

Who is starting for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pirates?

Rhett Lowder will be the starting pitcher for the Reds.

Why did Graham Ashcraft return to the Reds lineup?

Graham Ashcraft was activated off the bereavement list to strengthen the bullpen.