The Cincinnati Reds (35-34) will take on the Detroit Tigers (45-25) on Friday, marking the start of a three-game series at Comerica Park, with the first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. ET. This matchup will be the first encounter between these teams this season; the Tigers swept the Reds 3-0 in their previous series last year.
After a remarkable five-game winning streak, the Reds suffered a setback on Wednesday, falling 11-2 to the Cleveland Guardians despite home runs from center fielder TJ Friedl and shortstop Elly De La Cruz. They were only able to record five hits in that game.
The Tigers are coming off a 4-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles, seeing success with solo home runs from Dillon Dingler and a three-run shot by Parker Meadows in the fourth inning, showcasing their offensive strength.
In terms of pitching matchups, Reds’ right-hander Nick Martinez, who has a record of 4-6 and an ERA of 3.70, will take the mound. Martinez has demonstrated solid performance in recent outings, allowing three or fewer earned runs in nine of his last ten starts, including a strong win against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last appearance, where he pitched six innings giving up just one earned run.
On the other side, the Tigers will start Keider Montero, who holds a record of 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA. This will be Montero’s first experience pitching against the Reds, after struggling in his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, where he had a no-decision after allowing four earned runs in 5.2 innings.
The betting odds for this matchup show the Reds at +110 and the Tigers at -130. Analysis suggests that despite recent struggles against the Tigers, the Reds have proven consistent in their scoring, achieving four or more runs in four of their last six games while limiting opponents to fewer runs in recent outings.
Predictions lean towards a close battle, favoring the Reds with a projected score of 4-3. The analysis indicates solid value on the Reds’ moneyline due to their recent performance and Martinez’s effectiveness on the mound.
This series provides an enticing opportunity for both teams to assert their dominance early in the matchup, especially with the Reds looking to bounce back after last year’s sweep and bolster their playoff hopes.