Guardians vs. Reds odds, prediction: MLB best bets, picks Sunday
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Ahh, the battle of Ohio. Cleveland is in Cincinnati.
The Guardians' Luis Ortiz limited the explosive Phillies to one run over six strong at home, but has been quite generous on the road, allowing 17 runs over 21 innings.
The Reds' Andrew Abbott has made six starts, has won twice and hasn't lost yet.
Abbott has given up just one run in his past 15 frames and seven in 30 innings.
Play $50 on Abbott and the Reds.
Luis Ortiz
James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
A night to forget.
The Padres lost. Our Preakness pick, Goal Oriented lost and the Kung Pao Chicken we ordered turned out to be two egg rolls and a fortune cookie.
Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting
Nick Pivetta pitched well and left the game tied 1-1.
In came Adrian Morejon and the game was over faster than you can say Journalism wins the Preakness.
Seattle's Cal Raleigh hit the first pitch all the way to Coachella.
Final 4-1. The fortune cookie said 'Don't bet the horses.' Down -187 seabiscuits.
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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Guardians need one of their patented, dominant rotations, and they might soon have one
NEW YORK — People have been asking about the vaunted Cleveland pitching factory. They've been wondering if it's still functioning, if grizzled coaches are still studying arm slots and crafting arsenals, if quarter zip-wearing data hounds are still clutching onto iPads that spit out spin rates and movement profiles. They've been concerned that the assembly line that, for years, churned out proficient big-league pitchers has ceased production. They've been worried that a once-buzzing workplace, the one envied by nearly every other team, has shuttered. Advertisement On Wednesday night, Luis Ortiz absorbed a few celebratory pounds to the chest from third baseman José Ramírez, handed manager Stephen Vogt the baseball and retreated to the visitors' dugout at Yankee Stadium. Along his way, he raised his cap to acknowledge his wife and 16 other friends and family members in attendance. He had completed another assignment in which his 98 mph heat zipped through the strike zone and his winding slider evaded bats. He took another step toward cementing himself as a force in a rotation that seems desperate to announce its presence. This is no revelatory declaration, but the Guardians' best chance to reach the postseason is to ride a robust rotation through the summer, the sort of roster backbone the organization became known for, but has lacked in recent years. This group has flashed hints of a forthcoming breakout. 'It's there, for sure,' said Tanner Bibee, the anchor of Cleveland's rotation. 'Everyone sees it.' A clicking rotation alleviates everything else. 'You can always win games (that way),' Bibee said. It preserves a top-heavy bullpen that the club has been careful not to overwork. It makes life easier on an underperforming lineup and buys the team brass time to figure out the ideal nine. So, do the Guardians have the horses to stampede their way to the postseason? They're certainly trending in the right direction. April: 4.84 ERA, 27th in MLB May: 3.60 ERA, 13th in MLB June: 1.45 ERA (in an admittedly tiny sample size of three games) Gavin Williams carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Angels on Sunday, as he stymied hitters with an array of looping curveballs and careening cutters. Bibee conquered the Yankees on Tuesday until he made two seventh-inning mistakes. Ortiz silenced the Yankees for 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday. Advertisement Bibee was steaming after his start in the Bronx, which he admitted is a reflection of the lofty expectations he places upon himself. 'We've gone through one-third of the season,' he said, 'and I feel like a lot of us would say we have not pitched to the standard we hold ourselves to.' Perhaps that's changing. Ortiz seems like the perfect test subject. The Guardians acquired him in November, a classic case of the organization identifying a pitcher with traits they coveted, and others they thought they could enhance. 'I can't speak for other organizations,' said pitching coach Carl Willis, '(but) I think one of the things we do is we don't put guys in boxes. 'He's a right-hander. Here's his arsenal. Here's what he should do.' It's more of, 'This is how he moves. This is where his slot is.' (The key) is allowing the guy to be the best version of what he naturally does, with some adjustments, as opposed to trying to rebuild an entire building. 'They gain confidence in knowing the foundation is their way, but there may need to be a little bit of an adjustment somewhere along the chain that's going to help them be more efficient.' In Ortiz's case, his whiff rate, strikeout rate and ground-ball rate have soared since joining the Guardians. By no means does he resemble a polished, finished product, but his outing on Wednesday could be the right blueprint to examine. He induced 14 whiffs, topped out at 99.1 mph and threw more sliders than any other pitch. There were rocky days in spring training when Ortiz was yanked mid-inning and then returned to start the next. That carried into the regular season, but over his last five starts, Ortiz owns a 2.28 ERA. His walk rate remains a bit high — that's a fact for many of Cleveland's hurlers — but he has surrendered only two home runs in those five outings. Advertisement He spearheaded Cleveland's first shutout at Yankee Stadium since Aug. 9, 2014, a game started by Corey Kluber, who was zooming to the finish line of his first Cy Young campaign. Last season, the Guardians won in spite of their rotation. Outside of Bibee and Ben Lively — who underwent elbow reconstruction surgery on Wednesday in Dallas — the club didn't have much to cling to in its rotation. Carlos Carrasco finished third on the team in innings, Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie proved unreliable and Williams spent much of the season on the shelf. Remember when Spencer Howard started a game at Comerica Park? Yeah, that happened. By the time the playoffs arrived, the Guardians were leaning on a couple of midsummer pickups in Matthew Boyd, Alex Cobb and Bibee, who even pitched on short rest. To advance to the ALCS, they squeezed every ounce of juice out of their top four relievers. The formula could be different this year. 'It's been a really good few weeks,' Vogt said. … 'We're continuing to see these guys grow and learn and get better.' That should also take some pressure off the guy in line to rejoin the rotation in a few weeks, a guy with a Cy Young Award in his living room and a guy who was a member of some of those vintage Cleveland rotations. Shane Bieber, barring any setbacks, should be able to submit about a half-season's worth of starts, ample opportunity for him to shed any remaining rust following a 15-month gap between big-league outings. A healthy Bieber and a fully functioning Bibee, Williams and Ortiz would be formidable against any opposing lineup. It would also afford the team some flexibility (and depth) as Allen and Slade Cecconi attempt to prove up to the task, and with Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick waiting for their chance at Triple-A Columbus. On top of that, sprinkle in a bit of Kluber's expertise in his new role as special assistant, and maybe the pitching factory will be humming again this summer. (Top photo of Guardians starter Luis Ortiz pitching against the Yankees on Wednesday: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
As Jacob Melton arrives, Jose Altuve will remain Astros' left fielder
PITTSBURGH — Major League Baseball introduced its All-Star fan balloting Wednesday with a familiar sight. Atop an alphabetical list of second-base candidates sat Jose Altuve, elected in four previous seasons as the American League's starter at the position. Each team is responsible for submitting its players at their respective positions. Altuve appearing among the second basemen may be nothing but a procedural move that the Houston Astros hope will garner more Midsummer Classic votes for the face of their franchise. Advertisement Given the scarcity of other second-base candidates, it is a shrewd decision, even if it does not align with the Astros' reality. Across their first 61 games, Altuve has started at second base 14 times. That six of those starts have come within Houston's last 15 games prompts understandable speculation. So did the promotion of touted outfield prospect Jacob Melton last weekend, and his two consecutive starts in left field against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday and Wednesday. None of this is affecting a plan that Houston enacted this winter and wants to see through. Altuve is — and will remain — the Astros' primary left fielder, even with a sudden surplus of more natural, athletic outfielders around him. 'I'm still planning to do the same amount of games in second base and left, DH him some,' Joe Espada, Astros manager, said before Wednesday's 3-0 loss at PNC Park. 'Trying to map it out enough where I can also keep him fresh and keep his bat in the lineup.' Part of that plan includes not exposing Altuve to places like PNC Park, which features one of baseball's most cavernous left fields. Playing him there Thursday behind ground-ball expert Framber Valdez would be logical, just as it was to start Melton in left field Tuesday and Wednesday. Altuve has still started 32 of his first 59 games in left field. Thirteen other times, he's served as Houston's designated hitter. A number that's perhaps inflated by Yordan Alvarez's monthlong absence, but still beneficial for a man who turned 35 last month. Bear in mind that Altuve started just five games last season at designated hitter. Altuve's selflessness in switching positions isn't lost on team officials, who want to reciprocate by creating as much consistency for him as possible. Performing an about-face on an agreed-upon plan is the antithesis of that. It can't be overstated, either, how much the challenge of playing somewhere new energizes Altuve. Advertisement Watching him play the position for two months demonstrates it. A sly smile will appear after he makes a catch that seemed in doubt. Some teammates have mused that Altuve is more amped after a solid defensive play than anything he produces offensively. After Altuve threw out Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh at home plate last month, Espada spent some of his postgame news conference taking umbrage with social media posts that pointed out Altuve's weak throwing arm. Altuve has bought in, so the entire ballclub has followed suit and thrown support behind him. Other underlying metrics paint a poor picture of Altuve's defense, which is undeniable. According to Sports Info Solutions, Altuve is worth fewer defensive runs saved than any left fielder in baseball. He has been worth minus-3 outs above average, according to Baseball Savant. Only six left fielders are worse. Generally, defensive metrics reward remarkable plays. Altuve hasn't made any, but it's worth examining how many chances he's had. Baseball Savant labels fly balls with a zero to 25 percent catch probability as '5-star' catches. Those with 26 to 50 percent catch probability are called '4-star.' Altuve has gotten six total chances on 5-star or 4-star balls this season. He hasn't converted any of them. Altuve has received 51 total chances in left field during his 32 starts. No left fielder with at least 30 starts has fewer — accentuating the entire point of this experiment. Getting Altuve away from the middle of most defensive action has worked. Doing so has strengthened one of Houston's most glaring weaknesses. With Altuve at second base for 146 games, Houston's infield finished last season worth minus-19 outs above average, according to Baseball Savant. After two months of this season, it is already worth plus-12. No American League infield has been worth more. Advertisement Houston does have better defensive options on its roster. Mauricio Dubón is a utility Gold Glove winner. Chas McCormick is more accomplished, though he is on the injured list with an oblique strain. Melton is a marvelous defensive center fielder with enough athleticism to translate into a corner spot, even if he had started just 17 professional games in left field before Tuesday. 'Just trying to treat it like center — I think that can ease the transition a little bit,' Melton said. 'I played the corners a decent amount in the minor leagues here, obviously more right than left. The early work I can get in before the games is going to be very important just to get some comfortability in over there.' That Melton's ailing back must still be monitored is a factor in this discussion, too. Both Espada and general manager Dana Brown have acknowledged that Melton was playing on a strict schedule at Triple-A Sugar Land to manage the injury. They'll maintain that in the major leagues, meaning Melton is a part-time player behind Altuve — a left fielder everywhere but the exhibition ballot. (Top photo of Jose Altuve: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Astros vs. Cubs Tickets, First Pitch Time for Saturday, June 28
Astros vs. Cubs Tickets, First Pitch Time for Saturday, June 28 Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros will take on the Chicago Cubs and Seiya Suzuki at Daikin Park on Saturday, June 28 at 7:15 p.m. ET (and airing on FOX). Buy Astros Tickets on SeatGeek Buy Astros Tickets on StubHub Astros vs. Cubs Game Info Game day: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Saturday, June 28, 2025 Game time: 7:15 p.m. ET 7:15 p.m. ET TV channel: FOX FOX Live Stream: Watch LIVE with Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply) Watch LIVE with Fubo! Location: Houston, Texas Houston, Texas Stadium: Daikin Park Daikin Park Astros Starter: TBA TBA Cubs Starter: TBA Astros vs. Cubs Tickets For Sale Astros vs. Cubs offensive insights The Astros rank 17th in Major League Baseball with 61 home runs. The offense for Houston has a slugging percentage of .388 this season, 17th in MLB. The Astros' .251 batting average is among the best in baseball, ranking ninth in MLB. The Cubs are fifth in baseball with 81 total home runs. So far this season, Chicago ranks fourth in baseball, slugging .443. The Cubs rank second in the majors with a .260 batting average. Watch MLB on Fubo Astros' top hitters Jeremy Pena is hitting .312 this year, with a .854 OPS (.374 on-base, .481 slugging). His strikeout rate is 13.6%, and his walk rate is 6.2%. He has nine home runs and 30 RBI, plus 32 runs scored and 10 steals on 11 attempts. So far this year, Isaac Paredes is hitting .248, with a .789 OPS (.342 on-base, .447 slugging). His strikeout rate is 16.9%, and his walk rate is 11.5%. He has 12 home runs and 34 RBI, plus 31 runs scored. Altuve is batting .264, with nine home runs and 22 RBI, plus 28 runs scored and five steals on eight attempts. He has a .719 OPS (.312 on-base, .407 slugging). His strikeout rate is 17.6%, and his walk rate is 6.8%. Also for the Astros, Jake Meyers' batting average is .292, with a .752 OPS (.347 on-base, .405 slugging). He has three homers and 16 RBI, plus 26 runs scored and eight stolen bases on 11 attempts. His strikeout rate is 18.6%, and his walk rate is 7.8%. Cubs' top hitters Kyle Tucker, who has a .283/.393/.522 slash line this season, has racked up 44 runs, 39 RBI, and 12 home runs in 270 PAs. As a basestealer, he's picked up 16 steals on 17 attempts. His walk rate is 14.8%, and his strikeout rate is 11.9%. In 258 plate appearances this season, Pete Crow-Armstrong has posted a .276 average with a .314 OBP and .552 SLG. He's also swatted 15 homers with 51 RBI and 48 runs, including 21 steals, while putting up a 26% strikeout rate and 5% walk rate. This season, Suzuki has crushed 14 bombs, knocked in 53 runs, and scored 34 times while hitting .265/.329/.549 in 255 plate appearances. His K rate is 25.5%, and his walk rate is 9.4%. At the plate, Nico Hoerner is batting .296/.343/.372 with no homers, 28 RBI and 35 runs scored, with 13 steals. He's striking out 7.4% of the time and walking at a 5.8% rate. Astros' injuries Chas McCormick: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Zach Dezenzo: 10 Day IL (Hand), Taylor Trammell: 10 Day IL (Calf), Yordan Alvarez: 10 Day IL (Hand), Pedro Leon: 10 Day IL (Knee), Spencer Arrighetti: 15 Day IL (Thumb), Ronel Blanco: 60 Day IL (Elbow), J.P. France: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cristian Javier: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Hayden Wesneski: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Elbow) Cubs' injuries Miguel Amaya: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Shota Imanaga: 15 Day IL (Leg), Porter Hodge: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Tyson Miller: 60 Day IL (Hip), Justin Steele: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Javier Assad: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Eli Morgan: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kyle Tucker: day-to-day (Finger) Buy Astros Tickets on SeatGeek Buy Astros Tickets on StubHub
