Pirates look to snap their 4-game skid tonight as Bailey Falter takes the mound against a surging Reds team eyeing a 6th straight win.

 Pirates look to snap their 4-game skid tonight as Bailey Falter takes the mound against a surging Reds team eyeing a 6th straight win.

The Cincinnati Reds are riding a five-game winning streak and aim to extend it to a season-high six victories when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series. The Pirates, meanwhile, are desperate to end a four-game losing skid after a 7-1 defeat to the Reds on Monday. Cincinnati will start veteran right-hander Nick Martinez, who has been in top form recently. Martinez, with a 2-4 record and 3.66 ERA, has posted a 2.05 ERA over his past five starts, allowing two runs or fewer in four of those outings. He has struck out 21, walked five, and given up no home runs during this stretch. His latest performance was a seven-inning shutout against the Chicago White Sox, where he allowed two hits and struck out three. Martinez has also improved at navigating lineups a third time, pitching at least six innings in his last four starts. Pittsburgh will counter with left-hander Bailey Falter, who has a 2-3 record and a 4.02 ERA. Falter faces a challenge against a Reds offense that has been clicking. The Pirates’ pitching staff will need to be sharp to slow down Cincinnati’s momentum, especially after their offense struggled in the series opener. Martinez’s reliability and recent dominance could give the Reds an edge, but Pittsburgh hopes Falter can deliver a quality start to keep the game close. The outcome of this matchup will hinge on whether the Pirates can rediscover their offensive spark and if Falter can match Martinez’s precision on the mound. Fans can expect a competitive battle as both teams vie for control of the series.