The Cincinnati Reds (13-18) host the Chicago White Sox (10-22) at Great American Ball Park on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The White Sox are playing their first of seven games on the road after wrapping up a seven-game homestand (3-4).
They won two out of three in their last series against the Twins, dropping the finale 7-3 on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Eloy Jimenez was 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.
The Reds are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a six-game road trip (3-3). They lost two of three against the Padres in their last series, dropping the finale 7-1 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Spencer Steer went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time since September 29, 2021, when the White Sox finished off a two-game series sweep with a 6-1 victory at Guaranteed Rate Field.
ON THE MOUND
Lance Lynn (0-4, 7.16 ERA) is in line to get the start for Chicago. The RHP allowed four runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 12-3 road defeat against the Rays on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, yielding three hits while striking out 10 and walking two.
For Cincinnati, right-hander Hunter Greene (0-1, 2.89 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Saturday, Greene took a no-decision on the road against the Athletics. He threw five innings and gave up two runs (0 ER) on five hits, striking out 10 and walking three in the 3-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .233/.299/.377. Yasmani Grandal leads the team in OPS at .796. The first baseman is slashing .258/.347/.449 with three home runs, nine RBIs, and eight runs over 28 games.
Over the last five games, however, Chicago has averaged 5.4 runs a game thanks in part to better on-base performance (.337). Against right-handed pitchers like Greene this season, the Sox have a .660 OPS. Grandal also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .862 OPS in 68 at-bats.
Cincinnati is slashing .244/.322/.357 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. TJ Friedl leads the team with a .784 OPS. The center fielder has two home runs, 11 RBIs, and 10 runs scored with a slash line of .311/.357/.427.
Cincinnati is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five with their slugging percentage falling to .345. The Reds have a .675 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .801 OPS over 85 at-bats, Friedl also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on an eight-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 4-12 in 2023. The Sox have scored 3.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs. Cincinnati has won three in a row at their home park.
The Reds are 9-6 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. In the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park, each club has won five, though Chicago has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.1-4.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Twins. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cincinnati Reds (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
