Reds vs Guardians predictions
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Cincinnati Reds lately, you know there’s a wave of confidence rolling through the dugout—and for good reason. The Reds’ offense is looking sharp, with Elly De La Cruz leading the charge. Expect him to bring his usual electricity: a solid chance at swiping a bag or two, maybe popping a homer, and he’ll likely be right in the mix for runs scored. TJ Friedl has also been a consistent spark, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him rack up a couple of hits and make things tough on the basepaths for Cleveland. With Nick Lodolo taking the mound and pitching deep into games lately, the Reds’ bullpen should get a bit of a breather, and Lodolo himself is set up nicely for a handful of strikeouts and a good shot at grabbing another quality start.
On the Guardians’ side of things, all eyes land on Jose Ramirez, who continues to be the centerpiece of Cleveland’s lineup. Ramirez has been lighting it up at the plate—don’t be shocked if he collects multiple hits, maybe roping an extra-base knock and finding a way to leave his mark on the scoreboard. Steven Kwan is another guy who tends to set the tone, and you can pencil him in for a hit and some hustle on the basepaths, while Logan Allen gets the nod to counter Lodolo from the mound. Allen can keep things interesting, likely punching out a few batters and keeping Cincinnati hitters guessing long enough to give his squad a fighting chance.
Looking at the momentum and recent play, this matchup feels like it has the Reds holding a slight edge, especially with how balanced their offense has looked and the groove Lodolo appears to be in. Still, you can never count out the top guys in Cleveland’s lineup from spoiling the party, especially with Progressive Field giving the Guardians that extra energy. That said, if the Cincinnati bats keep clicking and Lodolo stays on his game, there’s a good chance the Reds keep their win streak alive and sneak out of Cleveland with another W. You feeling that, too?
