The Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds clash Wednesday in game 2 of an MLB series at Great American Ball Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Guardians look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. The Guardians are 4.5 games back in the AL Central. The Guardians pitching staff is 3rd in ERA (3.76), 13th in WHIP (1.27) and 12th in quality starts (44). The Guardians’ offense is 27th in runs per game (4.07), 17th in batting average (.252) and 30th in homers (87). Steven Kwan leads the Guardians with 131 hits and 41 RBI, while Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor have combined for 236 hits and 144 RBI. Noah Syndergaard gets the ball, and he is 2-5 with a 6.35 ERA and 46 strikeouts this season. Syndergaard is 7-0 with a 3.02 ERA and 58 strikeouts in his career against the Reds.
Cleveland Guardians Team Facts
- The Guardians have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Guardians have covered the run line each of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last six road games against National League opponents.
- The Guardians have led after 7 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in three of the Guardians’ last four road games against the Reds.
- Steven Kwan has recorded two hits in each of the Guardians’ last four road games.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Guardians’ last seven road games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Steven Kwan has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five appearances with the Guardians as underdogs.
- Steven Kwan has scored at least one run in nine of the Guardians’ last 10 games against NL opponents.
- Noah Syndergaard has recorded five or more strikeouts in eight of his nine previous appearances with his team as an underdog against NL Central opponents.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Reds need a win after losing 10 of their last 13 games. The Reds are 4 games back in the NL Central. The Reds pitching staff is 26th in ERA (4.79), 26th in WHIP (1.41) and 24th in quality starts (35). The Reds’ offense is 9th in runs per game (4.80), 16th in batting average (.251) and 14th in homers (139). Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 117 hits and 66 RBI, while Jonathan India and TJ Friedl have combined for 195 hits and 98 RBI. Andrew Abbott gets the ball, and he is 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA and 83 strikeouts this season. This will be Abbott’s first career game against the Guardians.
Cincinnati Reds Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the last six games between the Guardians and Reds.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Reds’ last nine games at Great American Ball Park.
- The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games as favorites.
- The Reds have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The Reds have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last five night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- TJ Friedl has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances in night games against AL teams that held a losing record.
- TJ Friedl has recorded two or more total bases in five of his last six appearances in night games against AL teams that held a losing record.
- Elly De La Cruz has scored at least one run in eight of the Reds’ last nine night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Spencer Steer has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last eight games as favorites against AL opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 1st in the league for steals this season (134).
- The Cincinnati Reds ranks 3rd in the league for triples this season (25).
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (87).
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (833).
Randy’s Pick
It’s hard to make a case for the Reds given their current form, but they have the clear and away edge on the mound for this contest. Noah Syndergaard is a shell of himself at this stage with his 6.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, and he has a 9.21 ERA on the road. Through 76.1 innings, Andrew Abbott has a 2.95 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Abbott has a 2.75 ERA and .163 allowed batting average at home this season. Again, clear edge for the Reds in this matchup. Feels like just what the Reds need to stop the bleeding. I’ll lay the juice with the home team.
