The Cincinnati Reds have looked like a completely different team since play resumed after the MLB All-Star Break.
Their 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday gave the Reds their third straight series win at a time when they really need it, moving to 49-55 on the year.
The future may be uncertain for this franchise, but what isn’t uncertain is that the Cleveland Guardians (54-53) are coming to Great American Ball Park on Monday night to hold bragging rights as the best team in the state of Ohio.
Yes, the battle for the Ohip Cup is set to resume later today. Back in May, the Guardians took two out of the three against the Reds in Cleveland. In order for the Reds to be the clear winners in this rivalry, they will need to bring out the brooms.
Let’s take a closer look at all the action set to go down in Cincinnati in this three-game series.
No Better Way To Start
Monday’s series opener will see Reds rookie All-Star Chase Burns (12-1, 2.42 ERA) on the mound against the Guardians’ Slade Cecconi (4-7, 4.60 ERA).
There’s been a lot of talk about when the Reds may shut down Burns for the season. While that is more than likely going to happen, fans better enjoy what could be his last handful of starts this season.
Game two on Tuesday will feature Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (10-5, 3.78 ERA) taking on Reds starter Brady Singer (5-9, 4.53 ERA).
It hasn’t been the ideal season for Singer; however, in his three starts, the right-hander has looked like a completely different pitcher.
In his last start against the Seattle Mariners, Singer clawed his way to 6.2 innings of work, helping the Reds earn a major win on the road.
The series finale on Wednesday will feature Guardians starter Joey Cantillo (8-6, 4.02 ERA) taking on the Reds’ Rhett Lowder (3-7, 5.61 ERA).
Lowder has made two starts since returning to the Reds’ starting rotation. The first was a brutal outing against the Colorado Rockies, which saw Lowder allow eight runs. However, his second start back was more of what the team needs from the right-hander.
A lot could be on the line when these two teams meet on Wednesday. Lowder will need to bring his A game.
This is going to be a big week for the Reds on and off the field. With the trade deadline coming up, the Reds front office has a lot of big decisions to make.
Will the team’s play against the Guardians to start the week change how the front office sees this team?
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