The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Great American Ball Park on Thursday, July 30 for a 7:10 PM ET showdown against the Cincinnati Reds. Yohan Ramírez gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder in what shapes up as an intriguing NL Central contest. With the Reds sending out a lineup headlined by Elly De La Cruz at the top and Tyler Stephenson anchoring the middle of the order, the Pirates' pitching staff will have its hands full — and how Ramírez navigates that lineup could go a long way toward determining the outcome. Catch it on SportsNet Pittsburgh or Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan.

Pirates vs. Reds Pitching Matchup: Ramírez vs. Lowder

Yohan Ramírez draws the start for Pittsburgh. Ramírez is a right-hander with a background primarily in relief work, so his role as a starter makes this one worth watching closely from pitch one. How deep he can go into a game — and whether the Pirates' bullpen is asked to carry a heavy workload — will be one of the central storylines Thursday night.

On the other side, Rhett Lowder takes the mound for Cincinnati. Lowder is a young arm the Reds have invested in, and Great American Ball Park gives him a familiar environment to work with. Without current ERA or win-loss data available, the focus shifts to execution on the night rather than season-long numbers.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup: De La Cruz Leads the Way

The Reds are rolling out a lineup with legitimate punch from top to bottom. Here's how Cincinnati lines up Thursday:

• 1. Elly De La Cruz, SS
• 2. Sal Stewart, 1B
• 3. JJ Bleday, LF
• 4. Tyler Stephenson, C
• 5. Nathaniel Lowe, DH
• 6. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
• 7. Dane Myers, CF
• 8. Noelvi Marte, RF
• 9. Matt McLain, 2B

De La Cruz batting leadoff is a matchup problem for any visiting pitcher. His combination of speed and raw power means Ramírez cannot afford to nibble — walks against the top of this lineup have a way of turning into runs in a hurry. Stephenson at cleanup adds a legitimate threat to make Pittsburgh pay for any lapse in the middle innings, and Eugenio Suárez still carries pop in that six hole.

Keys to Watch for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Ramírez's Command in the Early Innings

If Ramírez can establish his fastball and work efficiently through the Reds' top of the order in the first two innings, Pittsburgh has a chance to keep this game close into the later frames. Getting through De La Cruz and the heart of the order without a crooked number early is the baseline goal.

Reds' Left-Right Split Opportunities

The Pittsburgh lineup construction — not yet confirmed for Thursday — will matter against Lowder. How manager Derek Shelton builds the lineup to attack a young starter like Lowder could dictate the Pirates' offensive ceiling in this one.

Bullpen Management

Given Ramírez's background as a reliever, Pittsburgh's bullpen depth and the sequencing of late-inning arms is worth tracking. A short start means a lot of pressure on the back end of the staff on the road.

Prediction

This is a tough road spot for Pittsburgh. Great American Ball Park plays fair for hitters, and the Reds' lineup has enough quality from one through nine to test a pitching staff that doesn't have a conventional starter on the mound. Lowder at home gives Cincinnati a real edge. Expect a close game that comes down to late innings, but the Reds' lineup depth tips it: Reds 5, Pirates 3.