Get ready for an exciting National League Central showdown as the Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Cincinnati Reds to PNC Park this Friday night to kick off a weekend series. This is a matchup you won't want to miss, especially with both teams battling in one of baseball's most competitive divisions.

The NL Central has been a surprise powerhouse early this season, with all five teams hovering at or above .500 for weeks. The Reds have been sitting pretty at the top of the standings for the last two weeks, thanks largely to rookie sensation Sal Stewart. Stewart is tearing it up at the plate, ranking among MLB leaders in multiple offensive categories and leading the majors with a remarkable 29 RBIs.

Meanwhile, the Pirates are looking to bounce back after ace Paul Skenes had an uncharacteristically rough outing against the Cardinals on Thursday. Skenes allowed four earned runs—more than he had surrendered in his previous five starts combined (three). Pittsburgh will turn to veteran Mitch Keller to steady the ship. Keller got off to a brilliant start this season but has stumbled a bit recently. Still, he brings a solid 3.18 ERA into this contest against Reds starter Brady Singer, who carries a 4.97 ERA over six starts.

Who will grab the early advantage in this divisional clash? Here's everything you need to know to catch all the action.

How to Watch: Unlike traditional broadcasts, Friday's Pirates vs. Reds game won't air on regular TV. Instead, it's part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package, so you'll need to stream it. New subscribers can enjoy a free one-week trial of Apple TV, and after that, it's just $12.99 per month. You can watch the game on the Apple TV app, available on select smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles.

Game Details: First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. So grab your favorite Pirates or Reds gear, settle in, and enjoy the rivalry!