Ben Lively is in line for his first start of the season as the Cincinnati Reds (19-24) match up against the New York Yankees (26-20) at Great American Ball Park on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.
The Yankees are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Blue Jays, taking the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Rogers Centre. Anthony Volpe was 1 for 2 with a solo home run.
Aaron Judge added a home run and a double. He had two RBIs. The Reds are playing the first of seven games at home after returning from a six-game road trip (3-3).
They lost two of three against the Rockies in their last series, dropping the finale 11-6 on Wednesday at Coors Field. Luke Maile went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double.
He drove in two runs. Jose Barrero added one RBI on two hits.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Reds won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Clarke Schmidt (1-4, 6.30 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York. The RHP allowed seven runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, an 8-7 road defeat against the Rays on Sunday. He took the loss, giving up six hits while striking out five and walking three.
Right-hander Lively (1-1, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for Cincinnati, his first start of the season. In his last appearance on Monday, Lively took the loss on the road against the Rockies. He came out of the bullpen to throw 2.1 innings and gave up one run on one hit, striking out one, in the 9-8 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .236/.310/.415. Judge leads the team in OPS at .993.
The right fielder is slashing .279/.381/.612 with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 28 runs over 36 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Lively this season, the Yanks have a .719 OPS.
Judge also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a 1.083 OPS in 102 at-bats. Cincinnati is slashing .248/.325/.379 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Jake Fraley leads the team with ann .823 OPS.
The center fielder has five home runs, 29 RBIs, and 16 runs scored with a slash line of .276/.375/.448. The Reds have a .705 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .928 OPS over 98 at-bats, Fraley also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 10-10 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Cincinnati has gone 12-9 at home this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.6.
The teams have split their last eight games head-to-head at Great American Ball Park, though New York has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.9-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees are fourth in the AL East, six games behind the division-leading Rays. The Reds are third in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Yankees (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
