Pirates–Reds Rivalry

The Pirates–Reds rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) National League divisional rivalry played between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates and Reds are both members of the National League (NL) Central division. Both teams have been active rivals for more than 135 seasons, dating back well into the infancy of the MLB.

Background

The Pirates and Reds were both founded in 1881 in the American Association, beginning play in 1882, and playing each other for five seasons. The Pirates moved into the National League in 1887, ceasing play between the two teams. The Reds moved into the National League in 1890, resuming play against the Pirates which continues to today. The Pirates have won 5 World Series Championships in , , , , and , and 9 NL Pennants. The Reds have also won 5 World Series Championships in , , , , , and 9 NL Pennants. Both teams have met 6 times in the postseason; including 5 meetings in the NLCS. From 1969 to 1993, the Pirates were a member of the NL East until the league's realignment in 1993 moved them to the newly formed Central Division. Meanwhile; the Reds were previously members of the NL West until the realignment placed them in the same division as Pittsburgh in 1993. Most recently; both teams have met in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game.

As of May 21, 2025, the Pirates currently lead the rivalry 1,258–1,241–18; however, the Reds lead in postseason wins 13–8.

History

1900s to 1960s: Early History

During the infancy of the National League, both teams struggled out of the gate. The Pirates saw most of their roster decimated as most had defected to the Players' League. Pittsburgh would manage brief periods of success headed into the new century; including three straight NL Pennants from 1901 to 1903 and a World Series victory in 1909.

Cincinnati fared much worse, failing to qualify for the postseason every season until 1919. Even then, the team arguably only won the 1919 World Series against the heavily-favorited Chicago White Sox because of the Black Sox Scandal. While the Reds weren't involved in the scandal, it tainted the legitimacy of their first World Series championship.

The Pirates managed to stay competitive, culminating in another World Series title in 1925. Both clubs managed levels of success at various times, though they often avoided one another heading into the postseason. The Reds finally managed their own turn of success with a World Series victory in 1940 whilst the Pirates were in the midst of a playoff drought for nearly two decades. Though, by the end of the 1950s, the Pirates briefly returned to success with another World Series victory in 1960, the Reds managed to win the pennant the following season; narrowly beating out the Los Angeles Dodgers in the process, though the Yankees prevailed to win the Championship in five games. Both teams would soon spend the duration of the 1960s in a rebuild; however, by the turn of the decade, the competition quickly heated up.

1970s: Fierce NLCS Matchups

1970 NLCS

Right out of the gate as both teams started the 1970 season in their new ballparks; the Pirates would begin a string of winning the NL East for 5 of the first 6 seasons that decade, the Reds would win the NL West 4 of the first 6 seasons the same decade. On July 16, 1970, the Pittsburgh Pirates began play after the All-Star break by opening new Three Rivers Stadium against the rival Reds. Cincinnati's Tony Perez hit the park's first home run, and Willie Stargell later homered for the Bucs. The contest was decided on a 9th inning RBI single from Lee May to give the Reds a 3-2 decision. The two teams found themselves on a postseason collision course for the first time as the Pirates were armed with players such as all-star right fielder Roberto Clemente, star slugger left fielder Willie Stargell, and pitcher Steve Blass; they were armed to clash directly with the Reds, who by this season had armed a deadly batting lineup featuring such legends as Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, and Joe Morgan. Despite the showing of Pittsburgh's batting lineup; the Reds won the series in a sweep.

Following the loss in the NLCS; the Pirates managed to beat the San Francisco Giants in 4 games en route to winning the 1971 World Series over the Baltimore Orioles.

1972 NLCS

The two clubs found themselves in each other's way once again during the 1972 NLCS. The Pirates prevailed in game 1 during a 5–1 victory in Pittsburgh. The Reds found themselves unable to overcome the dominant pitching from Steve Blass as they would go on to leave 11 baserunners with only a sole run in the first inning. Frustrations would run high for Cincinnati as manager Sparky Anderson would be ejected during the fourth inning. Game 2 saw the Reds bite back with a vengeance as they opened the first inning with 4 runs. The Pirates struggled mightily up until the fourth inning in which they'd manage to claw back with a run per inning up until the eighth. However; a Joe Morgan home run guaranteed the victory as Reds' pitcher Tom Hall locked up Pittsburgh's hitters to end the game. Game 3 saw a low-scoring affair with the Pirates holding on for a 3–2 victory by the end of the night in Cincinnati. Game 4 saw the Reds even the series with a blowout victory over the Pirates as Pittsburgh only managed a single run in the seventh inning while the Reds achieved 7 runs off of a panicked Pittsburgh bullpen. Game 5 began with a rain delay for 90 minutes. The Pirates fought hard with a 3–2 lead coming out of the fifth inning, however; the Reds would rob them of the victory with 2 crushing runs as Pirates' reliever Bob Moose tossed a wild pitch with George Foster on third, culminating in Hal McCrae scoring a 2 run homer during the next at bat, ending the series. This would be the final game ever played for Pirates' Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente as he would be killed in a plane crash after volunteering for earthquake relief in Nicaragua in December.

1975 NLCS

Once again both teams met in the NLCS but the series proved to be largely uneventful as the Reds dominated the series with a 3-game sweep, though the Pirates held on to force game 3 into 10 innings, they would prove not to be a match for Cincinnati's hitters as they would end the series with 2 runs in the tenth.

1979 NLCS

Nearing the end of their dynasty as the ''Big Red Machine'', Cincinnati managed to pull ahead of a weak NL West en route to another matchup against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile; Pittsburgh pulled through 2 games ahead of the Montreal Expos to secure the NL East. The Pirates proved to have the upper hand this series as they would go onto decimate the Reds in a humiliating sweep, on their own way to win the 1979 World Series over the Orioles once again.

1980s regression

The Pirates and Reds both saw a sharp regression from their heyday in the 1970s, ironically for the Reds, they finished with the league's best record in 1981 heading into the all-star break before a player strike suspended the season. The Reds would fail to make the postseason as a result of the losses to the roster. The Pirates had sunken deep into mediocrity as they would fail to post a winning record until 1990, despite posting a winning record; the Reds finished in second place every season from 1985 to 1989, failing to make the postseason.

Early 1990s: Return to competition/1990 NLCS

The Pirates began the 1990s firing on all cylinders led by the strength of All Stars: Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Neal Heaton, and Doug Drabek. The Reds had quickly become the surprise of the league, armed with their own dominant roster under new manager Lou Pinella, they boasted such talents as Eric Davis, José Rijo, Randy Myers, and Chris Sabo they dominated the division with a 5-game lead over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

1990 NLCS

Both teams were set to square off in the 1990 NLCS as the Pirates managed to dominate a weak NL East to 95 wins. The resulting series saw the Reds' famed Nasty Boys lock up the Pirates' usually dominant hitting core as the two teams combined for a low-scoring 6-game series, culminating in the Reds pulling away with the win, and eventually the 1990 World Series over the Oakland Athletics in a sweep.

1993–2000: Divisional Realignment/Decline

Following the 1990 season, the Reds declined mightily under the notoriously awful ownership of then-owner Marge Schott, the team saw multiple stars leave in free agency or fell victim to bad trades. Meanwhile; the Pirates managed two appearances in the NLCS in 1991 and 1992, ending in a loss to the Atlanta Braves both times. Due to the expansion of the league in 1993; the Reds and Pirates were both consolidated into the newly formed NL Central, turning their once heated playoff rivalry into a divisional battle. However; The Reds would only put up 2 winning seasons in 1994 and 1995, with a player strike and a sweep from the Braves in the 1995 NLCS sealing their decline. The Pirates would not manage a single winning season from 1993 to 2013. Despite a 1999 Wild Card tiebreaker appearance against the New York Mets, the Reds would not post a winning season from 2001 to 2009.

2010s: Return to Relevance

Following years of mediocrity and bad management on both sides, Cincinnati would manage a playoff appearance after 8 mediocre seasons, only to be swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Reds' new manager Dusty Baker would also guide the team to an appearance in the 2012 NLDS.

2013 NL Wild Card Game

The Pirates miraculously returned to playoff competition in 2013 as they finished second in the division with a 94–68 record, their first winning season since 1992. The Reds finished four games behind the Pirates, however; due to a weak National League season, they managed to secure the lowest remaining wild card berth; set to face the Pirates once again for the first time in 23 seasons. Led by star outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates slammed out 5 runs off of Reds' starting pitcher Johnny Cueto by the end of the fourth inning while the Reds would struggle to manage one by the end of the fifth. By the seventh inning, the Pirates had run away with a 6–1 lead as Cincinnati's bats went cold the majority of the game. The Reds managed another run in the eighth inning but failed to perform anything of note for the remainder of the game. The Pirates advanced on to play the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS, but fell in 5 games.

2015–2024: Decline for Both

The Pirates would manage two more postseason appearances following their run to the 2013 NLDS, they would lose to the World Series champion San Francisco Giants in a crushing 8–0 loss in 2014, and would go on to suffer another shutout loss to the Chicago Cubs 4–0 in 2015. Meanwhile; the Reds fired Dusty Baker on October 4, 2013, and Cincinnati has failed to post a winning record since 2013. The Pirates would fall victim to cheap ownership under Robert Nutting as numerous star players such as Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Gerrit Cole, and Mark Melancon would all leave in free agency. During the 2019 season; both teams would engage in a massive brawl after Pirates' pitcher Keone Kela had thrown at Reds' batter Derek Dietrich in the seventh inning, the umpires would later give Kela a warning as Reds' star Joey Votto engaged in insulting the Pirates' dugout. Newly acquired outfielder Yasiel Puig would later go up to bat for the Reds before a controversial strike call from the umpire led to an argument between Puig and the home plate umpire. Frustrated with the call, Puig later threw down his helmet after several minutes of shouting, ending the inning. As Reds' pitcher Amir Garrett had taken the mound and had also engaged into a shouting match with the Pirates dugout after throwing at Pirates batter Chris Archer. After several minutes of shouting at the Pirates' players, Garrett charged the Pittsburgh dugout along with Puig; culminating in a massive brawl clearing both benches. Following the fight, Puig and Garrett would both be ejected from the game. In total: six players would be suspended a combined total of 40 games, including Puig and Garrett. An hour prior to the Pirates' final game of the 2019 season, manager Clint Hurdle was fired after eight seasons. Since 2015, only the Reds have made the postseason, that being the 16 team postseason in 2020.

Season-by-season results

, -
,
, style=";" , Red Stockings
, style=";" , 106
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 43
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 63
, style=";" , Red Stockings
106
, Red Stockings win 1882 American Association pennant
, -
,
, style=";" , Red Stockings
, style=";" , 86
, style=";" , Alleghenys, 43
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 52
, style=";" , Red Stockings
1812
, Alleghenys open new Exposition Park after original burns in a fire.
, -
,
, style=";" , Red Stockings
, style=";" , 811
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 311
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 50
, style=";" , Red Stockings
26131
, Alleghenys begin play at Recreation Park
Red Stockings open American Park.
, -
,
, style=";" , Red Stockings
, style=";" , 97
, style=";" , Alleghenys, 53
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 62
, style=";" , Red Stockings
35201
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Alleghenys
, style=";" , 137
, style=";" , Alleghenys, 73
, style=";" , Alleghenys, 64
, style=";" , Red Stockings
42331
, Alleghenys' last season in the American Association, before switching to the National League.
The Alleghenys and Red Stockings would not play each other for the following three seasons.

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 164
, Tie, 11
, style=";" , Reds, 153
, style=";" , Reds
58371
, Red Stockings switch to the National League, resuming play between the Alleghenys and newly renamed "Reds".
Reds' American Park renamed League Park
, -
,
, Tie
, 1010
, style=";" , Reds, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Reds
68471
, Alleghenys rename to "Pittsburgh Pirates" following the accusedly "piratical" acquisition of Lou Bierbauer.
Pirates open another new Exposition Park
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 95
, style=";" , Pirates, 62
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds
73561
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Reds
76651
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Reds
81721
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 841
, style=";" , Pirates, 421
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Reds
85802
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Reds
90872
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 751
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, Tie, 331
, style=";" , Reds
95943
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 122
, style=";" , Reds, 61
, style=";" , Reds, 61
, style=";" , Reds
107963
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1033
, style=";" , Reds, 511
, style=";" , Reds, 522
, style=";" , Reds
117996
,

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 128
, style=";" , Reds, 82
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Reds
1291076
, Pirates lose 1900 Chronicle-Telegraph Cup
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 137
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Reds
1361206
, Pirates win 1901 National League pennant
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 155
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Reds
1411356
, After partially burning down, Reds open the Palace of the Fans on the site of the former League Park.
Pirates win 1902 National League pennant
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 164
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 91
, style=";" , Pirates
1511456
, Pirates take a 145144 lead on July 26 in the series, a lead they would never relinquish.
Pirates lose the inaugural 1903 World Series
, -
,
, Tie
, 11112
, style=";" , Pirates, 75
, style=";" , Reds, 642
, style=";" , Pirates
1621568
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
1751658
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1481
, style=";" , Pirates, 741
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
1891739
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, Tie, 661
, style=";" , Pirates
20118310
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
21519110
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 167
, style=";" , Pirates, 93
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
23119810
, Pirates open Forbes Field
Pirates win 1909 World Series

, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
24320810
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Reds, 651
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
25521811
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 1111
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
26622911
, Reds open Redland Field on site of previous Palace of the Fans.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1381
, style=";" , Pirates, 741
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Pirates
27923712
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1481
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 651
, style=";" , Pirates
29324513
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Reds, 741
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
30325714
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
31227014
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
32228214
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 124
, style=";" , Pirates, 71
, style=";" , Pirates, 53
, style=";" , Pirates
33428614
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 146
, style=";" , Reds, 64
, style=";" , Reds, 82
, style=";" , Pirates
34030014
, Reds win 1919 World Series in infamous Black Sox Scandal

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
35031214
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
36432014
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 11111
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 651
, style=";" , Pirates
37533115
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
38933915
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
39935115
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 138
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Pirates
41235915
, Pirates win 1925 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 139
, Tie, 66
, style=";" , Reds, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
42137215
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
43538015
, Pirates lose 1927 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
44539215
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
45840115
,

, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
47240915
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 101
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
48841515
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
50242315
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates, 84
, style=";" , Pirates
51743015
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
53243715
, Reds' Redland Field renamed Crosley Field
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 138
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
54544515
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 92
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
55945315
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 211
, style=";" , Pirates, 120
, style=";" , Pirates, 91
, style=";" , Pirates
58045415
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
59246415
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 101
, style=";" , Pirates
59848015
, Reds lose 1939 World Series

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 101
, style=";" , Pirates
60449615
, Reds win 1940 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
61450815
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1291
, style=";" , Reds, 731
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
62352016
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
63652916
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
64654116
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
65855116
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
66756416
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
67657716
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
68958616
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
70259516
,

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
71260716
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 12101
, style=";" , Reds, 651
, style=";" , Reds, 65
, style=";" , Pirates
72261917
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
72863517
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Redlegs
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Redlegs, 83
, style=";" , Redlegs, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
73565017
, The Reds rename as the "Cincinnati Redlegs"
, -
,
, style=";" , Redlegs
, style=";" , 157
, style=";" , Redlegs, 65
, style=";" , Redlegs, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
74266517
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Redlegs
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Redlegs, 65
, style=";" , Redlegs, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
75067917
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Redlegs
, style=";" , 175
, style=";" , Redlegs, 101
, style=";" , Redlegs, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
75569617
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Redlegs
, style=";" , 148
, style=";" , Pirates, 65
, style=";" , Redlegs, 92
, style=";" , Pirates
76371017
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1210
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Redlegs, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
77572017
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 139
, style=";" , Pirates, 101
, style=";" , Reds, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
78872917
, The Redlegs name reverts to "Cincinnati Reds"

, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 166
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates, 83
, style=";" , Pirates
80473517
, Pirates win 1960 World Series
, -
,
, Tie
, 1111
, style=";" , Pirates, 74
, style=";" , Reds, 74
, style=";" , Pirates
81574617
, Reds lose 1961 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 81
, style=";" , Pirates
82075917
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
82777017
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
83777817
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
84778617
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
85779417
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 108
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
86580417
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 1081
, style=";" , Reds, 72
, style=";" , Pirates, 631
, style=";" , Pirates
87381418
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
88081918
, MLB's expansion and realignment place the Pirates in the NL East and Reds in the NL West. New division alignment shortens meetings from 18 to 12 games.

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
88482718
, Pirates open Three Rivers Stadium
Reds open Riverfront Stadium
Reds lose 1970 World Series
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1970 NLCS
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 30
, style=";" , Reds, 20
, style=";" , Reds, 10
, style=";" , Pirates
88483018
, First meeting in the postseason. Reds sweep in three games. Reds proceed to lose World Series.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
89183518
, Pirates win 1971 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
89584318
, Reds lose 1972 World Series
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1972 NLCS
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 32
, Tie, 11
, style=";" , Reds, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
89784618
, Second meeting in the postseason. Reds proceed to lose World Series.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 75
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
90285318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
90686118
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
91286718
, Reds win 1975 World Series
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1975 NLCS
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 30
, style=";" , Reds, 10
, style=";" , Reds, 20
, style=";" , Pirates
91287018
, Third meeting in the postseason. Reds sweep in three games. Reds proceed to win World Series.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
91687818
, Reds win 1976 World Series
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Pirates, 60
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
92588118
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 74
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 32
, style=";" , Pirates
93288518
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
93689318
, Pirates win 1979 World Series
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 1979 NLCS
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 10
, style=";" , Pirates, 20
, style=";" , Pirates
93989318
, Fourth meeting in the postseason. Pirates sweep in three games. First Pirates series win. Pirates proceed to win World Series.

, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
94589918
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Reds, 30
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
94790318
, Strike-shortened season
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
95590718
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
96191318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
96692018
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
96992918
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 102
, style=";" , Reds, 60
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
97193918
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
97994318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
98495018
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 75
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
98995718
,

, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
99596318
, Reds win 1990 World Series
, -
! 1990 NLCS
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Reds, 21
, style=";" , Reds, 21
, style=";" , Pirates
99796718
, Fifth meeting in the postseason. Reds proceed to win World Series.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 102
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
100796918
,
, -
,
, Tie
, 66
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates
101397518
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
101798318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 93
, style=";" , Reds, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
102099218
, MLB realignment places both Pirates and Reds into new NL Central.
Strike-shortened season. Strike cancels postseason.
MLB adds Wild Card, allowing for both teams to make the postseason in the same year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 85
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates, 43
, style=";" , Pirates
1025100018
, 1994 realignment increases meetings from 12 to 13 meetings per year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 85
, style=";" , Pirates, 52
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1033100518
, Reds' Riverfront Stadium renamed Cinergy Field
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 84
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
1037101318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 75
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1044101818
, MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 1998 due to MLB's expansion and realignment, resulting in 1213 meetings per year.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 76
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Reds, 43
, style=";" , Pirates
1050102518
,

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 76
, style=";" , Reds, 43
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1056103218
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 98
, style=";" , Reds, 43
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Pirates
1064104118
, MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 18-19 meetings per year
Pirates open PNC Park
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1071105218
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 115
, style=";" , Pirates, 43
, style=";" , Pirates, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
1082105718
, Reds open Great American Ball Park
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 109
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1092106618
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 97
, style=";" , Reds, 43
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1099107518
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 97
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Reds, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
1106108418
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 97
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates, 43
, style=";" , Pirates
1113109318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 96
, style=";" , Pirates, 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1122109918
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 135
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Reds, 72
, style=";" , Pirates
1127111218
,

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 106
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 52
, style=";" , Pirates
1133112218
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 105
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 51
, style=";" , Pirates
1143112718
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 117
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1150113818
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 118
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Pirates
1161114618
, Both AL and NL having balanced teams leads to a balanced schedule of 19 games per season.
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 2013 NLWC
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 10
, style=";" , Pirates, 10
, —
, style=";" , Pirates
1162114618
, Sixth meeting in the postseason. First meeting in the Wild Card Game since MLB added this round in 2012.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Reds, 64
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1169115818
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 118
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 64
, style=";" , Pirates
1177116918
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 109
, Tie, 55
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1187117818
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 136
, style=";" , Reds, 63
, style=";" , Reds, 73
, style=";" , Pirates
1193119118
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 145
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1207119618
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Pirates, 82
, style=";" , Reds, 54
, style=";" , Pirates
1219120318
, Kela, Dietrich brawl

, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 73
, style=";" , Reds, 21
, style=";" , Reds, 52
, style=";" , Pirates
1222121018
, Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic.
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 136
, style=";" , Pirates, 54
, style=";" , Reds, 91
, style=";" , Pirates
1228122318
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 127
, style=";" , Pirates, 64
, style=";" , Pirates, 63
, style=";" , Pirates
1240123018
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 85
, style=";" , Pirates, 52
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1248123518
, Schedule structure modified this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games.
, -
,
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 85
, style=";" , Pirates, 52
, Tie, 33
, style=";" , Pirates
1256124018
,
, -
,
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Pirates, 21
, style=";" , Reds, 30
, style=";" , Pirates
1258124418
, ''Upcoming at Pirates, August 710''
''Upcoming at Reds, September 2325''

, -
, American Association Regular season games
, style=";" , Red Stockings
, style=";" , 42331
, style=";" , Alleghenys, 20161
, style=";" , Red Stockings, 2613
,
, -
, National League Regular season games
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1217118917
, style=";" , Pirates, 6575388
, style=";" , Reds, 6515609
,
, -
, Overall Regular season games
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1250123118
, style=";" , Pirates, 6775549
, style=";" , Reds, 6775739
,
, -
, Postseason games
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 138
, style=";" , Reds, 64
, style=";" , Reds, 74
,
, -
, Postseason series
, style=";" , Reds
, style=";" , 42
, style=";" , Reds, 321
, style=";" , Reds, 41
, NLWC: 2013
NLCS: , , , ,
, -
, Overall Regular season and postseason
, style=";" , Pirates
, style=";" , 1258124418
, style=";" , Pirates, 6815609
, style=";" , Reds, 6845779
,

See also

*Bengals–Steelers rivalry

References

;Inline citations

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pirates-Reds rivalry
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds
Major League Baseball rivalries