Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians Picks and Prediction for Sunday, May 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC It’s the conclusion of an interleague series on the diamond between a pair of teams from the Buckeye State hoping to build some positive momentum on the shores of Lake Erie as the Cincinnati Reds play the final game of a three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians Sunday afternoon and we have you covered with our Reds vs. Guardians prediction. Cincinnati drew first blood in the set by prevailing 7-6 in the series opener Friday night. Will the Reds leave town with momentum or can Cleveland secure the win in the series finale? This article was published prior to the conclusion of the second game of the series at Progressive Field Saturday night. Don’t go down on strikes! Increase your bankroll with our MLB Betting Picks! Read more about this Twins vs. Guardians prediction!
Reds Trying to Gain Ground in NL Central
Cincinnati won their second straight and fourth in the last six games as they hung on for the win in the opening game of the set Friday night. The Reds entered Saturday 24-21 and stood tied for fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the Cubs for the top spot. Against Cleveland Friday night, Cincinnati rapped out 11 hits with JJ Bleday (two runs, RBI) led the way with three. Matt McLain (his fifth) homered in the victory. Andrew Abbott (3-2) earned the win as he threw five innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Tejay Antone worked the ninth, allowing one run on one hit with no walks or strikeouts, for his first save.
Brady Singer gets the call for the Reds as he makes his 10th start of the season in this contest. He is 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA, a 1.667 WHIP, 11 walks and 28 strikeouts over 42 innings of work this season. Singer took the loss in his last start, which came against the Nationals at home Tuesday. He threw 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts, in a 10-4 Reds loss. In his last three starts, Singer is 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA, a 1.77 WHIP, four walks and nine strikeouts over 13 innings of work. Singer makes his 16th career appearance, 15th start, against the Guardians in this contest. He is 3-3 with a 4.88 ERA, a 1.361 WHIP, 21 walks and 59 strikeouts over 79.1 innings of work against them. Singer is 2-2 with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.369 WHIP, eight walks and 33 strikeouts over 34.1 innings in six career starts at Progressive Field,
Cleveland Battling in Mediocre AL Central
Cleveland had won three straight and six of their last eight before falling in the opening game of this series Friday night. The Guardians entered Saturday 24-22 and owned a one-game lead over the White Sox for the top spot. On Friday night, Cleveland finished with eight hits with Jose Ramirez (RBI) leading the way with three hits while Travis Bazzana (run, RBI) added a pair. Rhys Hoskins (his fourth) went deep in the contest for the Guardians. Tanner Bibee (0-6) took the loss as he allowed three runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts over 6.2 innings of work.
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Gavin Williams takes the bump for his 10th start of the year for the Guardians here on getaway day. He is 5-3 with a 3.74 ERA, a 1.175 WHIP, 22 walks and 66 strikeouts over 55.1 innings of work on the year. Williams took the loss in his last start, which came against the Twins at home last Sunday. He tossed six innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits with one walk and six strikeouts in a 5-4 Guardians loss. In his last three starts, Williams is 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, three walks and 22 strikeouts over 19.2 innings of work. Williams, in his 73rd career major league start, pitches against the Reds for the first time here. This marks his 38th career start at Progressive Field. Williams is 12-13 with a 3.70 ERA, a 1.279 WHIP, 81 walks and 233 strikeouts over 199.1 innings of action.
Reds vs. Guardians Pick
Moneyline Pick for Reds vs. Guardians
- Guardians (4 units)
Cincinnati took the opening game of the series but their bullpen is shaky, as evidenced by Friday’s contest. Singer has surrendered 11 homers already this season in 42 innings of work this season. In addition, he is 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP over 23 innings of work on the road this season. Williams has dropped two straight starts but he still has been tough on the year. The Guardians should take care of business by roughing up Singer to earn the win on getaway day to give them momentum heading into the new week.
Over/Under Pick for Reds vs. Guardians
- Over (4 units)
Cincinnati has gone over the total in 28 of their 45 games, with one push, entering Saturday. The Reds put up an average of 4.38 runs per game (14th) on the year while allowing an average of 4.93 runs per contest. That gives an average total of 9.31 runs per contest entering Monday. That number falls to 4.05 runs per contest on the road and their average total slides to 8.81 runs per game as the visiting team. Cleveland entered Saturday night having stayed under the total in 23 of their 46 games on the season. The Guardians are 18th in the majors with 4.20 runs per game, a number that falls to 3.91 runs per game at home. Cleveland has an average total of 8.33 runs per game and that number drops to 7.08 runs per game at home this season. With Singer struggling and Williams being roughed up a bit of late, this one goes over the number.
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