This matchup features two struggling starting pitchers in vastly different stages of their careers. Chris Paddack's 7.63 ERA and 0-4 record since signing with Cincinnati tells the story of a veteran trying to rebuild his career, while Joey Cantillo's concerning velocity decline (averaging just 84-86 mph in recent starts) suggests the young lefty may be dealing with mechanical or physical issues. The Reds enter with momentum from yesterday's 7-6 victory and riding a two-game winning streak, led by Elly De La Cruz's outstanding .299 average and 10 home runs. Cleveland, meanwhile, comes off a disappointing loss that snapped a solid series win against the Angels. The offensive matchups heavily favor Cincinnati despite their poor run differential. De La Cruz represents the game's most dangerous hitter against Cantillo's diminished stuff, while JJ Bleday's .321 average provides another threat in the Reds lineup. Cleveland's offense revolves around Brayan Rocchio's surprising emergence (.275 average, 22 RBI) and hoping Steven Kwan can break out of his .206 slump. The key will be which starter can provide length, as both bullpens could be taxed early. Progressive Field's dimensions and the overcast conditions with 12 mph winds create neutral conditions that won't significantly favor either side. The Reds' recent offensive explosion (15 runs against Washington on May 14th) combined with Paddack's struggles suggests this game could feature plenty of scoring. Cincinnati's ability to generate runs despite their poor team metrics, coupled with Cleveland's home vulnerability (13-10 record), points toward the visitors extending their winning streak in what should be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 3R Both starters struggle with command early, allowing baserunners

Middle (4-6) 4R Offenses capitalize on middle innings against tiring starters

Late (7-9) 4R Bullpens settle in but occasional mistakes lead to runs

Matchup Analysis

Guardians

Brayan Rocchio hot bat (.275 avg, 22 RBI)

Home field advantage at Progressive Field

Coming off strong series vs Angels (3-1)

Joey Cantillo's inconsistent velocity (84-86 mph avg)

Steven Kwan struggling (.206 avg)

Reds

Elly De La Cruz leading offense (.299 avg, 10 HR)

JJ Bleday's hot start (.321 avg)

Won last night's series opener 7-6

Chris Paddack's terrible 7.63 ERA and 0-4 record

Poor run differential (-25) despite decent record

Risk Factors

Both starting pitchers have concerning recent metrics

Game could turn into bullpen battle early

Key Matchups

Elly De La Cruz vs Joey Cantillo batter De La Cruz's power vs Cantillo's reduced velocity

Brayan Rocchio vs Chris Paddack batter Rocchio's current hot streak vs Paddack's struggles

Statistical Edges

First to Score Reds 65%

Strikeouts 16 14-18

Total Runs 11 9-13

Game Preview

Chris Paddack takes the mound at Progressive Field carrying the burden of an 0-4 record and 7.63 ERA, desperately seeking his first win since joining Cincinnati. The veteran right-hander immediately faces trouble in the first inning when Elly De La Cruz works a leadoff walk and eventually scores on Matt McLain's RBI single, giving the Reds an early 1-0 advantage. Joey Cantillo responds in the bottom half but settles down after allowing a leadoff single to Steven Kwan. The game's complexion changes dramatically in the third inning when Paddack's command issues resurface. De La Cruz launches a towering home run to left-center field, his 11th of the season, followed by consecutive hits from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe that chase the struggling starter before he can complete four innings. Cincinnati extends their lead to 3-1, capitalizing on Cleveland's pitching woes. The Guardians answer immediately in the bottom of the fourth when Brayan Rocchio continues his hot streak with a two-run double, cutting the deficit to one run and energizing the Progressive Field crowd. Both bullpens enter the game early, leading to a back-and-forth affair through the middle and late innings. The Reds push across three more runs between the fifth and seventh innings, including another RBI from their catalyst De La Cruz, while Cleveland manages just two additional runs against Cincinnati's relievers. Despite the home team's late rally attempt in the eighth inning, the Reds hold on for a 6-5 victory, sweeping the opening two games of this interleague series and extending their winning streak to three games.

High confidence based on clear pitching advantages favoring Cincinnati, with Paddack's struggles being less concerning than Cantillo's velocity decline. The Reds' offensive momentum and De La Cruz's elite production provide multiple paths to victory in what projects as a high-scoring game.

Sandsynlige pitchere

C. Paddack Reds

0-4 6.90 ERA

25 K

J. Cantillo Guardians

--- - ERA

- K

Cincinnati Reds — Trup

Spiller	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Dane Myers	CF	.238	3	8	.360	.397
Elly De La Cruz	SS	.299	10	30	.363	.522
Sal Stewart	1B	.236	10	31	.328	.454
Spencer Steer	LF	.263	7	17	.333	.449
JJ Bleday	DH	.323	6	19	.440	.726
Matt McLain	2B	.217	5	19	.323	.360
Will Benson	PH	.183	2	4	.333	.324
Tyler Stephenson	C	.180	3	12	.279	.297
Nathaniel Lowe	PH	.242	6	16	.324	.495

Cleveland Guardians — Trup

Spiller	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Petey Halpin	CF	.100	0	1	.143	.100
José Ramírez	3B	.227	6	17	.353	.384
Chase DeLauter	DH	.278	6	26	.366	.477
Kyle Manzardo	1B	.216	2	13	.298	.312
Travis Bazzana	2B	.236	1	7	.391	.309
Steven Kwan	LF	.204	1	10	.316	.259
Angel Martínez	RF	.266	8	22	.313	.496
Austin Hedges	C	.263	1	4	.338	.386
Brayan Rocchio	SS	.277	3	25	.357	.372

Scoring plays

▼ 2

Brayan Rocchio singles on a line drive to left fielder Spencer Steer. Steven Kwan scores. Angel Martínez scores. Austin Hedges to 2nd.

0-2

▲ 3

Dane Myers homers (3) on a fly ball to right field.

1-2

▲ 5

Sal Stewart walks. Blake Dunn scores. Ke'Bryan Hayes to 3rd. Elly De La Cruz to 2nd.

2-2

▲ 5

Spencer Steer doubles (8) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Daniel Schneemann. Ke'Bryan Hayes scores. Elly De La Cruz scores. Sal Stewart out at home on the throw, center fielder Daniel Schneemann to shortstop Brayan Rocchio to catcher Austin Hedges.

4-2

▼ 6

Brayan Rocchio walks.

4-3

▼ 6

Rhys Hoskins out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Spencer Steer. Angel Martínez scores.

4-4

▼ 7

Angel Martínez homers (8) on a fly ball to right center field. Kyle Manzardo scores.

4-6

▼ 8

Travis Bazzana reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Connor Phillips. José Ramírez scores. Chase DeLauter to 2nd.

4-7

Cincinnati Reds — Batting

Spiller	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Dane MyersCF	4	1	1	1	0	2	1	.238	.757
Elly De La CruzSS	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.299	.885
Sal Stewart1B	2	0	0	1	2	1	0	.236	.782
Spencer SteerLF	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	.263	.782
JJ BledayDH	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.323	1.166
Matt McLain2B	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.217	.683
Will BensonPH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.183	.657
Tyler StephensonC	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.180	.576
Nathaniel LowePH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.242	.819
I alt	30	4	5	4	5	8	1

BATTING

2B: Steer (8, Cantillo).

HR: Myers (3, 3rd inning off Cantillo, 0 on, 2 out).

TB: De La Cruz, E; Dunn 2; Myers 4; Steer 2.

RBI: Myers (8); Steer 2 (17); Stewart, S (31).

2-out RBI: Steer 2; Myers; Stewart, S.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Steer.

SAC: Trevino.

Team RISP: 1-for-3.

Team LOB: 5.

BASERUNNING

SB: Stewart, S (10, 2nd base off Cantillo/Hedges); Dunn (2, 3rd base off Cantillo/Hedges); Hayes (1, 2nd base off Cantillo/Hedges).

FIELDING

E: Phillips (1, fielding).

a-Lined out for Trevino in the 6th.

b-Struck out for Dunn in the 9th.

c-Lined out for Hayes in the 9th.

Cleveland Guardians — Batting

Spiller	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Petey HalpinCF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.100	.243
José Ramírez3B	4	1	2	0	1	0	0	.227	.737
Chase DeLauterDH	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	.278	.843
Kyle Manzardo1B	5	1	2	0	0	2	0	.216	.610
Travis Bazzana2B	5	0	1	0	0	3	0	.236	.700
Steven KwanLF	3	2	1	0	2	1	0	.204	.575
Angel MartínezRF	4	3	2	2	0	0	1	.266	.809
Austin HedgesC	2	0	0	0	2	1	0	.263	.724
Brayan RocchioSS	3	0	2	2	1	0	0	.277	.729
I alt	34	7	10	5	7	8	1

BATTING

2B: Martínez, A (8, Mey).

HR: Martínez, A (8, 7th inning off Johnson, 1 on, 2 out).

TB: Bazzana; Kwan; Manzardo 2; Martínez, A 6; Ramírez, Jo 2; Rocchio 2.

RBI: Hoskins (16); Martínez, A 2 (22); Rocchio 2 (25).

2-out RBI: Rocchio 2; Martínez, A 2.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Schneemann; Bazzana; Martínez, A 2; DeLauter; Kwan.

SF: Hoskins.

Team RISP: 1-for-9.

Team LOB: 12.

BASERUNNING

SB: Rocchio (8, 2nd base off Moll/Stephenson, T); Ramírez, Jo 2 (20, 2nd base off Phillips/Stephenson, T, 3rd base off Phillips/Stephenson, T).

FIELDING

Outfield assists: Schneemann (Stewart, S at home).

a-Hit a sacrifice fly for Schneemann in the 6th.

Cincinnati Reds — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Chris Paddack	5.0	6	2	2	1	3	0	78-56	7.07
Luis Mey(H, 1)	0.1	1	2	2	2	1	0	21-9	5.40
Sam Moll(L, 1-3)(BS, 2)	1.1	1	1	1	1	2	0	22-14	3.32
Pierce Johnson	0.1	1	1	1	1	0	1	12-6	3.93
Connor Phillips	1.0	1	1	0	2	2	0	27-15	4.94

Cleveland Guardians — Pitching

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Joey Cantillo	5.0	4	4	4	4	4	1	87-53	3.40
Colin Holderman	1.2	1	0	0	0	1	0	13-10	1.65
Erik Sabrowski(W, 2-1)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	5-3	1.83
Hunter Gaddis(H, 4)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14-7	6.10
Cade Smith(S, 14)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	17-9	2.91

Kampinfo

Dommere: Home Plate: Tyler Jones; First Base: David Rackley; Second Base: John Libka; Third Base: James Hoye

Stadion: Progressive Field, Cleveland

Vejr: 72°F, Partly Cloudy

Vind: 11 mph, Out To RF

Cincinnati Reds — Nyheder

Reds Frigiver Josh Staumont

Staumonts afgang er et rutineprægelse dybtgreb for Cincinnati, som ligger på 31-29 med en løbsforskel på -38 og allerede har roteret flere relieflancere denne sæson.

Cincinnati Reds

Yunior Marté Vælger Free Agency Efter Reds DFA

Martés afgang fjerner sekundær dybde fra Cincinnatis bullpen, mens Reds navigerer med en 5-4 rekord i deres seneste 10 kampe med en rotation, der Abbott (4.02 ERA) allerede er afhængig, mens Singer (6.18 ERA) og Paddack (6.90 ERA) fortsætter med at kæmpe.

Cincinnati Reds

Reds sætter option på Friedl, kalder Marté tilbage

Friedl går efter at have slået .181/.252/.258 med en xwOBA på .252 over 46 kampe, hvilket åbner plads for Marté i Cincinnatis yderbane, mens Reds sidder på 31-29 med en løbefordel på -38.

TJ Friedl

Cincinnati Reds

Reds udnævner Leibrandt, Richardson; kalder McCambley, Mey tilbage

Cincinnati (30-29, -39 løbsforskel) rydder op i rotationsdybden mens Singer (ERA 6,18) og Paddack (ERA 6,90) fortsætter med at have problemer; McCambley og Mey ankommet uden track record fra 2026, hvilket tyder på organisatorisk desperation i en rotation med gennemsnitlig ERA på 5,70 blandt fem startere.

Lyon Richardson

Cincinnati Reds

Reds placerer De La Cruz på skadelisten med lårmuskelskade; Arroyo debuterer på SS

Cincinnati mister sin primære offensive motor (.362 xwOBA, 12 HR på 58 kampe) midt i sæsonen, mens Reds sidder på 30-28 med en løbsforskel på -32. Arroyos debut fylder positionen, men mangler MLB-data fra 2026, og rotationen forbliver svag med Singer (ERA 6.18) og Paddack (ERA 6.90) som reservearme.

Elly De La Cruz

Edwin Arroyo

Cincinnati Reds

Cleveland Guardians — Nyheder

Guardians besejrer Yankees med stærk rotationsspil

Clevelands sejr forlænger deres stribe til 5-5 over de seneste 10 kampe bag Williams ERA på 3.07 og rekord på 8-3, mens Yankees rekord på 36-24 skjuler rotationens sårbarhed—Weathers (ERA 3.52) er deres primære starter med en beskeden rekord på 2-3.

Kyle Harrison

San Francisco Giants

New York Yankees

Milwaukee Brewers

Rocchio: 1 af 2 med to stjålninger og 1 RBI i Guardians-sejr

Rocchio fortsætter med begrænset offensiv produktion (.293 AVG, .319 xwOBA) men bidrog defensivt i Clevelands 9-4-sejr over New York.

Brayan Rocchio

Cleveland Guardians

Goldschmidt: 4 RBI i Yankees-tab mod Guardians

Goldschmidts præstation på 3 ud af 5 vejer ikke op for New Yorks fordel i målscore-forskel (36-23, +98) mod Cleveland (34-27, +1) i en divisions-relevant kamp.

Paul Goldschmidt

New York Yankees

Cleveland Guardians

Bibee uden sejr i 12 starter, da Cleveland taber til Boston

Bibees 0-7-rekord med en ERA på 4.57 og 1.32 WHIP står i skarp kontrast til rotationskollega Williams (8-3, 3.07 ERA), hvilket afslører en kritisk svaghed i Clevelands rotationsdybde, da divisions-ledende Guardians (34-26) i høj grad afhænger af deres essekort.

Tanner Bibee

Cleveland Guardians

Guardians Vælger Fairchild; Kwan til Sorgeliste

Kwans fravær fjerner en bidragyder fra 54 kampe (.207 AVG, .297 OBP, 34 BB) fra CLE's førstepladstruppe midt i sæsonen. Fairchild går ind på en trup uden tilgængelig statistik for 2026, mens Arias flyttes til 60-dages skadelist for at skabe plads på 40-mands listen.

Stuart Fairchild

Cleveland Guardians