The New York Yankees are currently leading the American League in runs, scoring a remarkable 395 this season. They also hold the top positions in several key offensive categories, including slugging percentage (.452), on-base percentage (.338), weighted On-Base Average (.342), weighted Runs Created Plus (121), and home runs (118), trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.
As the Yankees head into Great American Ball Park for a series against the Cincinnati Reds, they will not face the Reds’ top pitchers, Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott, which gives them a favorable matchup against rookie Chase Burns, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer. This comes at a crucial time for the Reds, who are trying to maintain a winning record at 40-38 after a challenging series in St. Louis.
The Yankees, leading the AL East with a record of 45-32, boast impressive offensive capabilities, particularly with Aaron Judge, known for his power hitting. The Reds, however, are facing a tough battle as they struggle against left-handed pitching, holding a low wRC+ of 74 against lefty opponents, ranking them among the least effective teams in baseball.
The Reds are currently 3 games behind the last NL Wild Card spot, trailing the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres, making this series even more important as they aim to improve their standing.
The pitching matchups for the series are set, with the first game on June 23 featuring Nick Lodolo against Allan Winans, followed by Chase Burns facing Carlos Rodon on June 21, and Brady Singer squaring off against Max Fried on June 22.
Fans can catch all the action, with the initial games available on FanDuel Sports Network and the final game on Prime Video and MLB Network. This three-game series is crucial for both teams, particularly for the Reds as they strive to bounce back and solidify their playoff ambitions.
This series not only presents an opportunity for the Yankees to extend their lead but also for the Reds to forge a path towards contention in the competitive NL Central.