Reds vs Guardians Series Odds: Battle of Ohio Continues

Cincinnati Fresh off Making History (Not The Good Kind)

The Cincinnati Reds have managed to turn around an abysmal start with some improved play of late, but offered up a firm reminder of their woeful ways Sunday vs the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds became the sixth team to throw a no-hitter and still lose the game.

Three walks and a fielder’s choice led to a run for the Pirates in the eighth and the Reds failed to score in the ninth, leading to a 1-0 loss and a combined no-hitter. The Reds have untapped potential and we may see it against their cross-state rival, but that doesn’t bode well for Reds’ backers with regard to the Reds vs Guardians Series Odds.

It remains to be seen whether this embarrassing setback will be part of another tailspin for a team that’s been a mess to start the year. A Reds fan can’t be faulted for putting the paper bag over their heads, but they also couldn’t be faulted for finding some positives with their last-place team.

For one, struggling rookie fireballer Hunter Greene was spectacular until back-to-back walks chased him from his no-hit bid in the eighth. When your team has an ERA (6.04) more than a run worse than any other team in the majors, you’ll take the effort. Two, Cincinnati is still 6-4 since that atrocious 1-20 slide that started with two losses at home to Cleveland in mid-April.

The Cleveland Indians have also turned things around by going 9-5 since a seven-game slide near the end of April, but they limp home from a 2-3 road trip that featured a series loss to first-place Minnesota and a COVID outbreak that has taken out the bulk of the coaching staff – including manager Terry Francona.

The Reds vs Guardians series odds may be influenced by the fact that Cleveland continues to be guided by a skeleton crew.

Game Information

  • Game: Reds (9-26) vs Guardians (16-17)
  • Location: Progressive Field
  • Day/Time: Tuesday, 6:10 p.m. ET (teams also play Wednesday at 6:10 p.m. ET)
  • Television: BSGL, BSOH

Reds vs Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers

  • Tuesday: Connor Overton (Reds) vs Zach Plesac (Guardians)
  • Wednesday: Tyler Mahle (Reds) vs Cal Quantrill (Guardians)

Guardians Need Rotation to Improve

Only one American League team has a worse rotation ERA than Cleveland, which sits at 4.70. One of the culprits is the starter in the series opener, Zach Plesac, who can’t seem to rediscover the form he flashed in his first two seasons with the club.

The 27-year-old could always overcome his humdrum fastball with quality offspeed stuff, but those offerings are getting hit a bit more this year. The exit velocity against him is 114.4 MPH, 107th out of 117 qualified pitchers entering Tuesday.

If Cleveland can ever get back the Plesac that went 12-8 with a 3.32 ERA through his first two seasons it will be in much better shape. The same goes for Cal Quantrill, whose strikeout-to-walk ratio is an ugly 1.33 as he seeks that dominant form he flashed down the stretch last year.

Those looking for Cleveland Guardians betting tips should pay attention to these young arms and some of the not-so-pretty numbers they’re bringing to the table.

Reds’ Bats Usually Dormant on Road

Manager David Bell’s team has swung the bat okay at home lately, fueling much of that recent hot stretch. When Cincinnati Reds games are on the road it’s another story, as evidenced by the one run they scored in two games this weekend in Pittsburgh.

The Reds are the only team in the majors with a batting average (.193) below .200 on the road and their miniscule .560 OPS away from home is easily the worst number in the National League. They scored three runs or fewer in five of six matchups with the Guardians last year – including all three in Cleveland.


Who’s Hot

Mike Moustakas, Reds 3B: Although he had only one hit in the last two games, the veteran is batting .326 with three homers over his last 12 games.

Jeff Hoffman, Reds P: Allowed two runs in 17 innings over his last 12 appearances

Triston McKenzie, Guardians P: The best results from this young, promising rotation are coming from McKenzie, who is 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in three starts this month.

Franmil Reyes, Guardians DH: At least at home he is. Reyes is 13-for-21 with two homers over his last six games at Progressive Field

Who’s Not

Matt Reynolds, Reds SS: Just 3-for-19 with eight strikeouts over his last six games.

Aramis Garcia, Reds C: 1-for-17 in May.

Jose Ramirez, Guardians 3B: The MLB’s RBI leader with 33 is hitting .183 over a 13-game span with one home run, which came Sunday in Minnesota. Nine of his RBIs came in the two-game sweep at Cincinnati last month.

Aaron Civale, Guardians P: Opponents have a .983 OPS against Civale, the scheduled starter for Friday’s series opener vs Detroit.

Injury Update

Reds C Tyler Stephenson cleared concussion protocol Sunday and is available Tuesday. 1B Joey Votto began his rehab assignment Saturday as he battles back from COVID

OF/1B Josh Naylor is the one Guardians player to be hit by the COVID outbreak that ran through most of the coaching staff. Right-hander James Karinchak (shoulder) is expected to throw live batting practice soon as his rehab progresses.

Reds vs Guardians Series Odds Betting Tips

Plesac could use a matchup like this to get pointed in the right direction. The Reds’ offense is brutal on the road and Plesac has been much better at home. Expect him to have his best start of the season.

On the other side of the coin sits Connor Overton, who tossed 6 â…“ scoreless innings at Pittsburgh to win his last time out. He boasts a 1.59 ERA through three starts with the Reds and will be facing an Indians lineup missing one big bat in Naylor.

Runs were hard to come by for both teams over the weekend and that’ll continue to be the case in the opener. It might be worth taking a look at the under when analyzing your Reds vs Guardians series odds.

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