The Cincinnati Reds started out the Ohio Cup with a win on Friday night as they hung on for a 7-6 victory. This evening they will look for a repeat performance as they go for the series win at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Cleveland Guardians |
| Dane Myers – CF | Daniel Schneemann – CF |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Jose Ramirez – 3B |
| Sal Stewart – 1B | Chase DeLauter – DH |
| Spencer Steer – LF | Kyle Manzardo – 1B |
| JJ Bleday – DH | Travis Bazzana – 2B |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Steven Kwan – LF |
| Blake Dunn – RF | Angel Martinez – RF |
| Jose Trevino – C | Austin Hedges – C |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B | Brayan Rocchio – SS |
| Chris Paddack – RHP | Joey Cantillo – LHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Chris Paddack | 30.2 | 7.63 | 1.66 | 10 | 27 |
| Joey Cantillo | 45.1 | 2.98 | 1.32 | 20 | 41 |
| Links: Chris Paddack’s Stats | Joey Cantillo’s Stats | |||||
Chris Paddack
After he was released, Paddack signed with the Reds earlier this week. He had pitched in seven games with Miami and he really struggled in three of them. Facing the Yankees, Tigers, Braves, and Dodgers in April (four of his five outings that month) he allowed two or fewer runs in each game while throwing a combined 19.1 innings (2.79 ERA). But he allowed 20 earned runs in his other three games that covered 11.1 innings.
The platoon splits for Paddack this year aren’t that big when it comes to OPS, but the two groups are getting there a bit differently. Both groups are hitting over .300. Right-handed hitters have walked just once, while lefties are walking a bunch. Righties are hitting for plenty of power, while left-handed hitters are showing mediocre power against him.
Not shown in the splits below are the home and road numbers. In 19.1 innings on the road he has a 2.79 ERA. It’s 15.88 at home.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 63 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 15 | .317 | .333 | .550 |
| LHH | 83 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 12 | .301 | .378 | .466 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-sm | 2-sm | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 93.1 | 93.1 | 86.5 | 76.9 | 81.0 | 85.1 |
| Usage | 32% | 9% | 7% | 9% | 16% | 27% |
Joey Cantillo
After plenty of the 2025 season in the bullpen (21 relief appearances, 13 starts), Cantillo has made nine starts for Cleveland this season and he’s been an anchor of their rotation. In seven of his starts he’s allowed two or fewer runs. Over his last two starts he’s given up just one run total while facing the Royals and Angels and throwing 11.0 innings. But over his last three starts he’s walked as many batters as he’s struck out, seven, while throwing 15.0 innings.
The splits against Cantillo have been big this season. Left-handed hitters aren’t hitting for an average or walking at all. They also don’t get to face him much. Right-handed hitters are hitting for a solid average, but they are walking a lot. Both groups of hitters are only showing mediocre power when they do get hits against him.
He’s pitched much better in his four home starts where his ERA is 2.08 and hitters have an OPS that’s 182 points lower against him than when they have faced him on the road.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 145 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 33 | .250 | .347 | .403 |
| LHH | 43 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | .220 | .256 | .366 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 91.9 | 79.2 | 83.1 | 80.5 |
| Usage | 45% | 16% | 13% | 26% |
When and Where
- Game time: 7:10pm ET
- Where: Progressive Field
- Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 70°, cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
JJ Bleday, The On Base Machine
When he was in Triple-A to start the year, Bleday failed to reach base in his first game. He then got on base in the next 23 games before he joined the Reds. In his 17 games with Cincinnati he’s been on base in 15 games. Over the last five games he’s been on base at least twice in each of them and 16 times total.
Edwin Arroyo Update
Last night the shortstop prospect had to leave the Louisville game early after he fouled a ball off of the inside of his left knee. He’s back in the lineup today for the Bats.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 29 | 16 | 0.0 | 85.0% |
| Milwaukee | 25 | 17 | 2.5 | 61.7% |
| St. Louis | 26 | 18 | 2.5 | 28.2% |
| Cincinnati | 24 | 21 | 5.0 | 14.7% |
| Pittsburgh | 24 | 21 | 5.0 | 54.4% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Let’s hope the “Road Version” of Paddack shows up in Cleveland tonight!
Boy, Marte would should look good in the 7th hole today in right field.
So begins the Paddack era . . .
I find it funny that during the inter-state play that is ongoing, you have the expected short-travel matchups (Reds/Guards, Yankees/Mets, Dodgers/Angels, Cards/Royals, Cubs/WSox, etc).
But then you have a pot of leftover teams where the schedule makers just shrugged and said “Yeah, I guess…. Play these guys?” That’s how we end up with Boston playing Atlanta and Seattle playing San Diego.
Guess they did the best they could.
Bos-Atl at least has faint echoes of the respective Boston Sox/Braves era. Got nothing for the west coast.
Yeah, or Toronto/Detroit.
I guess Detroit IS just across the bridge from Canada, and since the Expos have been gone for a long time, it kinda, sorta makes sense.
Tigers/Blue Jays was war in the ’80s when they were both in the East. They got realigned out of the same division in 1994 and it’s been mostly nostalgia since.
I kind of love the Rockies/Diamondbacks kids’ table series.
The Guardians lineup is heavy lefty today against Paddack. We can do nothing but hope Paddack comes in like one of those four outings against Yankees-Tigers-Braves-Dodgers (by the way those teams have the best offense in baseball)…
Can the bottom of the Reds lineup (McLain-Dunn-Trevino-Hayes) comes thru again as they did on thursday vs Foster Griffin? Cantillo is another offspeed LH pitcher Who throws a 92 mph fastball and a changeup more than 65% combined
Not sure why Francona put Steer in front of Bleday. He has nothing better to do? Suggest he talk to his pitchers to keep walks below double digit?
Paddack? I’ve been caught sleeping again.
Nice to McLain heating up finally being moved down in the order.
Love what Bleday is doing.
How can Paddock a 7.50 ERA…..
Nevermind
Down 2 to 0, not a lot of faith in this line up. Hope am wrong.
Great hit Dane.
Friedl off three games in a row? Wow.
Have to give Paddock credit early on for throwing strikes. Shame he couldn’t sneak out of the second unscathed.
Did the bullpen walk 17 batters in a row AGAIN last night? Holy crap!
A slumping Sal. Uncertain way he’s not moved down in the lineup where the pressure is lesser.
Thankfully neither base runner scored.
Paddack is at least throwing strikes. Unfortunately, they’re hitting quite a few of them. Hang in there, kid.
Being from Kentucky, I am familiar with paddocks! Just not this Paddack!
Philly seems to have righted the ship! Beat the Pirates 6-0! I still cringe every time Schwarber hits another HR! He would have been a great fit for the Reds! Imagine the number of HRs he would hit in Great American Small Park!
The disappointment of not getting Schwarber is real.
Reds need to start scoring some runs.
Bend but don’t break too much Paddack has kept things smoother the past 2 innings.
Thank you Reds for listening and contributing offensively.
Very nice bunt Dunn.
That’s getting it done.
Unbelievable play by their pitcher
Yes! Another team’s pitcher can walk in a run too. Nice.
My man Steer!
That a boy Steer
A run scores on a bases-loaded walk! Where have we seen that before? This time the Reds are the beneficiaries!
Steer – High Leverage
Man is clutch.
Happy for the 3 runs! But how many Reds baserunners have been thrown out at home this season? Seems like a lot!
Lots of people hate on Steer. IMHO he is a solid citizen like a lot of us. Does his job decently without too much fuss
Absolutely!!!
Yep. I know a couple people who can’t stand when he does something good. I love the guy.
Paddack with 5 nice innings.
WTG, Paddack!
5 innings from Paddack! I’ll take it
The Reds will too. They needed it.
Ok let’s have a guy up in the bullpen. Mey is pitching.
And a leadoff walk from Mey… smh…
It’s a bullpen requirement.
Indeed!
Nice job by Paddack… Mey starts with a leadoff walk…not good
Here comes the gas can bullpen crew …
Where was our Gold Glove shortstop going on that ground ball.
Covering 2nd base on the steal
Thanks ump
Sit down Hedges.
Just a bit inside…
This bullpen needs a lot of help
Maxwell Mey. Mey Maxwell. Those 2 guys are tied at the hip. Just dont see anything good in either of them.
Mey has had his chances up here multiple times …. He ain’t it ….send that guy back down and keep him there … he ain’t learned nothing
Why was paddock put after 78 pitches. Asking for a friend
Was wondering the same thing. Especially given our bullpen struggles
Time to send Mey back to the minors. No control, can’t pitch with a lead. Francona should have never brought him in the game. Jeopardizing a nice outing by Paddack!
Can we find one, just one Reds RP who can throw strikes and not walk batters or throw wild pitches?
We can forget about Mey ever being decent. With that pitching motion where his body is always falling off the mound to one side so badly he is never going to know where the ball is going most of the time, which means this is what you’re going to get… walk… hit… wild pitch run… walk…go sit down…rinse and repeat
It’s frustrating the team takes the lead only to dropp it because you don’t bring in a reliable mid-game guy today…
We have NO reliable mid-game RPs!
Why was Paddack and why was May put in?
Paddack deserved better.
Wastes a good game from Paddack. What was Francona thinking?
That’s a fallacy. He didn’t think.
No wonder I drink when I watch the Reds bullpen pitch. Too bad for Paddack. Nice debut for the Reds.
My new nickname for Mey is “Wild Thing”! Wild pitches in each of his last 2 appearances! The wild pitch Mey threw in the bottom of the 8th inning to allow the only run that Washington scored in the Reds 15-1 win on Thursday was several feet outside the strike zone! Kinda like Ricky Vaughn, the original Wild Thing!
Ricky Karcher special.
Good comparison! Forgot about Ricky Karcher, a truly forgettable pitcher!
Lmao
Myers was guessing because there is no way you can struck out looking that pitch
Even though he is not on 40 man, is it time to put Lyon Richardson on the 40 man and promote him? Seems to be settling in this year in the relief role. Can’t be any worse than Mey (or can he?)
So far Tito has done a poor job in this game, everybody knew what Mey would do and well, he did what we all knew he would.
Look Cleveland gave us the lead through walking. Being a great neighbor we gave it back. Net net even. Both teams drink out of Ohio river. Must be in the water
People in Cleveland drink out of the Ohio River?
Lake Erie could be closer.
Sabrowski averaging 16 strikeouts per nine innings. Why can’t we have nice things in our bullpen!?
An excellent question for the Reds FO!
Reds are wasting a golden opportunity to gain ground in the NL Central Division! Pirates lost to the Phillies and the White Sox currently are up 5-0 on the Cubs!
All because the bullpen cannot protect a lead regardless of how large or small it is!
I don’t like how this game is going after Guardians tied it up…
Lurch (aka Moll) back out for the 7th inning! Hide the women & children!
One of the best bull pens against the worst in MLB, Red’s in big trouble tonight. Richardson needs to be put in this team he has to be better than Mey who will never make it because he just can’t throw strikes.
It’s going to be a long summer if half the bullpen literally cannot throw strikes.
Too bad Chafin opted out. I would have taken him instead of most other AAA options.
Why take Moll out with a left-handed hitter coming up?
Prophetic on my part. Oh, my.
He’s a switch hitter.
He hits better vs. lefties
Thank you for the info, VA. I’m “watching” from my phone.
This bullpen is trash. 2021 all over again.
Francona pushed all the right buttons tonight..like he is still coaching Cleveland
That is for sure.
I said before it happened he should have stuck with Moll, poor game from the manager = 24 and 22.
The Reds bullpen is struggling
So is the manager.
…without a doubt
Clown show bullpen
Thank you Pierce Johnson! At least you waited until after the HR to issue your obligatory walk! The Reds bullpen is like driving a vibratory compactor thru a nitroglycerine factory!
Interesting how the bullpen was lights out in April and the manager was doing great. Now the bullpen is struggling and its the Manager’s fault. LOL
Exactly Kevin.
It’s the typical strawman arguments from a few here.
Bullpen gave us a lot to cheer for in April. They are taking it back snd more in May.
Correct! Tito does not throw from the mound, but he probably could do better than the Reds RPs as of late!
Just a tough loss, Paddeck deserved better and should have gone out for another inning. Now they have to depend on a struggling Singer to win the series. I really fear the Phillies but at least the pitching match ups are a little better.
Looks out to me
Seems like the Reds never get the benefit of those close replay calls. He looked out to me, and if anything tag was applied a mili second before his mitt hit the bag
Gotta make that play Phillips.
Phillips is the guy some fans think should be the closer?!? What a joke.
2 walks and a fielding error! Don’t think Phillips could close a car door!
Connor Phillips making an ugly error surrending an insurnce run for Guardians incredible…
Then a 4-pitch walk. Crazy.
It’s bad enough that some of the Reds RPs can’t throw strikes or protect a lead, but fielding and throwing to 1st base seems to be a challenge as well!
I mean who is Tito even supposed to go to
Something about Phillips chewing bubble gum like he has no cares while making errors and walking people just irritates the fire out of me.
Another issue the Reds may need to think about besides the Bull Pen is the Sal Stewart problem, right now he is an automatic out in the middle of the order.
walked twice tonight
Come on ! You know what he means !
Not a great way to start off the 9th McLain.
And the Reds go down without nary a whimper in the 9th!
Quite a difference in bullpens
Same bullpen that was dominant in April.
My mistake. They’re awesome.
Knew very little about Paddack before tonight’s game but he pitched reasonably well and deserved better!
The bullpen needs some sort of shock therapy!
Reds lost this game which looked winnable in the 6th inning until Luis Mey was brought in a high leverage relief….After that, things changed to wrong direction
With everything that has gone wrong = 1. #1 starter has not pitched, 2. bull pen has imploded in May, 3. #2 starter has made two below average start, 4. 15 million dollar man has been out for a month, 5. Rookie of the year candidate has fallen off a cliff 6. injuries to Lauder, Williamson and Petty HOW is this team 24 and 22. Things will get worse if some of these issues aren’t fixed ASAP.
Well Reds are coming on scoring runs and decent starting pitching the last 8 games. The main concern is bullpen,however other than Pagan being injured it is same group and confident they will bounce back.