NL Central
Cincinnati Reds
Great American Ball Park · Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team in the National League Central division.
NL Central Rivalry
Reds–Pirates
Ohio River blood feud
A rivalry between two of baseball's oldest franchises, separated by roughly 290 miles along the Ohio River and now NL Central neighbors. It burned hottest in the 1970s, when the Reds and Pirates met repeatedly in the National League Championship Series.
The Rivalry
Both clubs trace their origins to the 1880s, making this one of the sport's most ancient pairings. The rivalry's defining era arrived in the 1970s, when the Big Red Machine and Pittsburgh's powerhouse rosters collided in the NLCS four times across the decade: Cincinnati swept in 1970 and 1975 and prevailed in 1972, while Pittsburgh's "We Are Family" club swept the Reds in 1979 on its way to a championship. The two met again in the 1990 NLCS, where Cincinnati's "Nasty Boys" bullpen smothered Pittsburgh's lineup. Shared division play since the 1990s has kept the teams in regular contact, and the 2013 Wild Card Game added a fresh chapter.
What's at Stake
As NL Central rivals, the Reds and Pirates meet many times each season, and the games often shape the standings for two mid-market clubs chasing the same playoff spots. The matchup carries a strong regional flavor: both cities sit on the Ohio River within an easy drive, and fans frequently make the trip. For Pittsburgh, every series against a historic foe carries extra weight.
Famous Moments
- 1970 — Cincinnati swept Pittsburgh in the first-ever NLCS meeting between the clubs.
- 1979 — Pittsburgh's "We Are Family" Pirates swept the Reds in the NLCS, then won the World Series.
- 1990 — The Reds beat the Pirates in a six-game NLCS as the "Nasty Boys" relief corps held Pittsburgh's hitters near .194.
- 2013 — Pittsburgh routed Cincinnati 6-2 in the NL Wild Card Game at PNC Park, with Russell Martin homering twice.
The Two Teams
Plan the Trip
This series is a natural road trip: Cincinnati and Pittsburgh sit a few hours apart, both on the Ohio River. Pittsburgh's PNC Park is regularly called one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball, framed by the river and downtown skyline. Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park offers riverfront views of its own and sits beside the Reds Hall of Fame. Catching the rivalry in both cities makes an easy, scenic bucket-list weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions: Reds–Pirates
The two teams first met in 1882. A rivalry between two of baseball's oldest franchises, separated by roughly 290 miles along the Ohio River and now NL Central neighbors. It burned hottest in the 1970s, when the Reds and Pirates met repeatedly in the National League Championship Series.
As NL Central rivals, the Reds and Pirates meet many times each season, and the games often shape the standings for two mid-market clubs chasing the same playoff spots. The matchup carries a strong regional flavor: both cities sit on the Ohio River within an easy drive, and fans frequently make the trip. For Pittsburgh, every series against a historic foe carries extra weight.
Yes — as NL Central division rivals they face off many times across the 2026 MLB season.
Cincinnati Reds host at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati; Pittsburgh Pirates play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
