MLB
5/18/22 7:05PM Eastern Time
Moneyline: Reds +115 / Guardians -135
Runline: Reds +1.5 (-185) / Guardians -1.5 (+150)
Total: Over/Under 8
The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians close out a 2 game set at Progressive Field tonight. The Reds won last night by a score of 5-4. After an ugly start to 2022 the Reds have won 6 of their L10 games while the Guardians are 5-5 having lost 2 straight.
Tyler Mahle starts for the Reds in this one. Like many Cincinnati Reds he’s had a tough start to 2022. He has an era of 5.89 across 8 starts in 2022 but per statcast owns an xERA of 3.56. Meaning the way he’s pitched is deserving of a lower era and that’s been the case recently. He’s allowed just 2 ER in both of his L2 starts. He’s also a road warrior, in 18 road starts in 2021 he pitched to a 2.3 era contrary to a 5.63 era at home. The Reds hitter friendly ballpark is a tough place for a fly ball pitcher like Mahle.
Cal Quantrill will start for the Guardians. He had a strong month of April but has faltered a bit so far in May. He walked 5 and gave up 3 ER in his first May start and his last time out surrendered 4 ER on 10 hits against the White Sox. He pitched against the Reds in 2 separate relief appearances in 2021, allowing 2 ER on 3 hits and 4 walks across 3 IP.
This is a Reds team that’s won 7 of their L11 games with their best pitcher on the mound. Progressive field is one of the harder ballparks for hitters to leave which provides a boost for a pitcher like Mahle that gets most of his outs in the air. This is a Guardians line-up that owns the 22nd ranked .OPS over the last week.
Major League Players Club Free Pick: Reds Moneyline