(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

The Cincinnati Reds need to reverse their negative fortunes in Pittsburgh or risk falling further out of the playoff picture.

The Reds will try to do so on Saturday night when they take on the host Pirates in the third contest of a four-game series. Cincinnati enters the game 3 1/2 games behind the New York Mets for the final National League wild-card berth.

Cincinnati will turn to veteran right-hander Nick Martinez (9-9, 4.66 ERA) in a bid to snap its three-game losing streak. Martinez will oppose Pittsburgh rookie righty Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.24), who will make his second career start.

The Reds' recent issues have stemmed from a lack of run production and clutch hitting.

Cincinnati is 1-for-10 so far in the series with runners in scoring position.

On Thursday, the Reds had seven hits against Pirates ace Paul Skenes -- the most he's allowed in a start in his career -- but dropped a 7-0 decision. Cincinnati let a one-run lead slip away in the bottom of the eighth inning on Friday, resulting in a 3-2 loss and the squandering of a stellar start by rookie Chase Burns.

The Reds are 4-4 this season against the Pirates, but all four losses have come in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 14-5 against the Reds at home since 2023.

'I don't really know why it's challenging (here),' Reds second baseman Matt McLain said after Friday's loss. 'It's not an excuse or anything like that. We just have to play better. ... We gotta play the same, no matter who we play. It's got to be better.'

Martinez last pitched on Monday in relief of Nick Lodolo, who exited his start against the Chicago Cubs after 1 2/3 innings due to a blister on his left index finger that landed him on the 15-day injured list. Martinez went 2 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits -- including a home run -- in a game the Reds won 3-2.

Martinez last faced the Pirates on May 20 at PNC Park and gave up one run on four hits over six innings in a 1-0 loss. He is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts) against Pittsburgh.

Ashcraft, who has made 17 appearances overall this season, is occupying a spot the Reds have yet to fill in their rotation since they traded Bailey Falter to Kansas City.

Ashcraft pitched in relief on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants and gave up two runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings. Ashcraft has yet to face the Reds in his career.

Ashcraft made his lone start on June 23 at Milwaukee and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts.

Bryan Reynolds continued to deliver clutch hits for the Pirates with a triple that drove in the game-winning runs in the eighth inning on Friday. It was Reynolds' fifth multi-hit performance in his past eight games.

'Anytime Bryan is going through something or whatever or if he's struggling at the plate, everyone knows he's one swing away from being the best hitter in baseball,' Pirates starter Mitch Keller said about Reynolds on Friday. 'We all have confidence in him to do that.'

--Field Level Media