During Monday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates looked a lot like the 2025 Pirates.

Pittsburgh pitched well, allowing just two runs and four hits at Great American Ball Park. However, the lineup failed to show up, getting shut out on four hits in a 2-0 loss.

The Pirates’ offense resembled last year’s feeble group, which ranked last in MLB in scoring, home runs and OPS. Pittsburgh managed just four hits (all singles), struck out 11 times and didn’t get a hit with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base.

The Pirates squandered a quality start by Braxton Ashcraft in his season debut and a pair of scoreless innings from the bullpen, falling to 1-3 on the year.

On the other side, Reds rising star Chase Burns earned his first Major League win. The flamethrowing 23-year-old right-hander, who was the second pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, kicked off his sophomore campaign in style for Cincinnati.

 

Ya nasty, @ChaseBurns20. pic.twitter.com/e2i5sSlZZr

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 31, 2026

 

As usual, Burns was a bit wild, walking three, throwing 46 of his 78 pitches for strikes and lasting just five innings in his ninth career start. However, he was also unhittable, surrendering just one hit while racking up seven strikeouts and 15 swinging strikes.

This was Burns’ third time facing Pittsburgh, and he’s dominated them so far with just one run allowed and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings against them.

The Pirates share a division with him, so they’d better figure him out soon if they don’t want him to be a thorn in their sides for a very long time.

Pittsburgh will try to bounce back and even the series on Tuesday behind its own pitching phenom, Bubba Chandler, who will go against Brandon Williamson.

More MLB: Two Pirates Legends To Throw Out First Pitch At 2026 PNC Park Home Opener