Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can Elly De La Cruz, Reds Get Hot Early?
The Guardians travel to Cincinnati to start a four game series with the Reds tonight. Can Elly De La Cruz and the Reds get hot early? Ben Rajavuori shares his Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds prediction.
Ben Rajavuori - June 11, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT
5 minCleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can Elly De La Cruz, Reds Get Hot Early?
The Cleveland Guardians travel to Cincinnati to take on the Reds from the Great American ballpark and a four-game series starting tonight. The Guardians have won two games in a row and are now sitting in second place overall in the American League with a record of 42–22, which also leads the AL Central.
The Cincinnati Reds did lose their last game but are now 8–2 over their last ten games and have moved into second place in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 32–34 overall. What should we expect tonight from the Great American Ballpark?
Guardians vs. Reds DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: June 11, 2024
- Start Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction
Both of these offenses have been very hot as of late. Both offenses are in the top ten in batting average over the last two weeks, as the Guardians are tenth with a .255 average and the Reds are second in baseball over the previous two weeks with a .272 average. The Guardians have also been hitting with a .768 OPS over the last two weeks, as they have some long ball crushers like Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor. While the Guardians have had a consistent offense all season, the reds are red-hot (no pun intended).
The Reds have one of the hottest offenses in baseball over the last few weeks, propelling their 8–2 run over their last ten games. Jonathan India has woken up from an early season slump and is hitting .333 over the last two weeks, while Will Benson is batting the same and Jake Fraley is batting .313. The Reds getting production from the bottom of their lineup has been part of what has fueled their success, as the Reds are also very aggressive on the basepaths and have multiple guys that can steal bags, with none other than Elly De La Cruz.
The pitching should favor the over tonight, as Triston McKenzie gets to start for the Guardians, a guy who has gotten tagged quite a bit this season. Mckenzie is sporting a 4.16 ERA and has given up two or more home runs in his last three starts. He’s given up three home runs in two of his last three starts. That does not bode well considering he’ll be pitching in one of those hitter-friendly ballparks in all of baseball tonight with weather conditions heavily favoring home run balls.
On the other side, the Reds are starting Brent Suter as an opener. Suter is a bullpen pitcher but will be opening tonight in what is presumably a bullpen game for the Reds. The Reds do not have the best bullpen, so this Cleveland offense should be able to score them early. Therefore, I’m taking the first five innings to go over 4.5 runs, as the elite Guardians bullpen is scaring me off the game over once Triston McKenzie is hit out of this game.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick
Pick: Guardians/Reds First Five Innings Over 4.5 -125 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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