Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo struck out 12 batters and then exited with a groin injury on Thursday in a dominant performance that helped his team move within a half-game of the New York

The series finale between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates will be delayed on Thursday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Enquirer. The Reds are 80-78 and are looking to avoid being swept.

Noelvi Marté robbed Bryan Reynolds of a tying home run in the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Thursday to move within a half-game of the New York Mets for the final NL wild card.

The 27-year-old southpaw is in his fourth season with the Reds and, after two injury-riddled campaigns, has had the best season of his tenure. Over 28 starts this year, Lodolo has posted an 8–8 record, 3.30 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 156 strikeouts over 155 2/3 innings of work.

The Reds hung on and won 2-1 to win the final game of the series and their final home game of the 2025 season. Cincinnati is now 81-78 with three games remaining. They now trail the New York Mets by a half game in the race for the final National League Wild Card playoff spot. The Mets play the Cubs on Thursday night.

A sensational starting pitching performance from left-hander Nick Lodolo helped the Cincinnati Reds avoid a sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, boosting their chances in the National League wild card race.

The Cincinnati Reds will try to salvage the finale of a three-game home series against the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates and keep pace in the National League wild-card race in a Thursday matinee.