Tonight, the Cincinnati Reds (66-60, third in the NL Central) face the Los Angeles Angels (60-65, fourth in the AL West) at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, at 9:38 p.m. ET. This is the second game of a three-game series, following the Reds’ 4-1 victory over the Angels last night, powered by three leadoff triples and a two-run homer from Gavin Lux. The Reds aim to continue their momentum on this west coast road trip, while the Angels look to even the series at home.
Team Performance
The Reds have been solid on the road (30-31) and boast a 49-27 record when recording eight or more hits, showcasing their offensive potential. They rank eighth in the NL with a .318 on-base percentage and have hit 125 home runs this season, averaging 1.0 per game. Their pitching staff holds a 3.82 ERA (10th in MLB) with 1,031 strikeouts, though they’ve allowed 138 homers.
The Angels, meanwhile, are 33-31 at home and rank seventh in the AL with a .408 team slugging percentage. They’ve scored 551 runs (4.44 per game) but struggle with strikeouts, leading MLB in that category. Their pitching staff has a 4.84 ERA, one of the weaker marks in the league, and their bullpen has been inconsistent, blowing 17 of 46 save opportunities.
Pitching Matchup
- Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene (5-3, 2.47 ERA)
Greene has been a standout this season, allowing two or fewer runs in 10 of his 11 starts. Coming off a stellar performance against the Phillies (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R), he faces an Angels lineup that ranks 27th in batting average (.232 at home) and strikes out frequently. Greene’s 3.69 career ERA and 1.158 WHIP suggest he’s a reliable option to keep the Angels’ offense in check. - Los Angeles Angels: Kyle Hendricks (ERA 4.88)
Hendricks has shown improvement over last season but has struggled recently, giving up 11 hits and 8 earned runs over his last 8.1 innings. Facing a Reds lineup batting .271 with 9.5 hits and 5.66 runs per game over their last six games, Hendricks could be in for a challenging outing. His career 3.77 ERA and 3.39 K/BB ratio are respectable, but his recent form raises concerns.
Key Players to Watch
- Reds: Elly De La Cruz
De La Cruz leads the Reds with 46 extra-base hits (24 doubles, 3 triples, 19 HRs). His speed and power make him a threat, especially after the Reds’ aggressive base-running last night. - Angels: Zach Neto
Neto paces the Angels with a .270 batting average, 25 doubles, 21 HRs, and 54 RBI. His ability to make contact against Greene will be crucial for the Angels’ offense.
Recent Trends
- The Reds are 5-3 in their last eight games, coming off a win that snapped the Brewers’ 15-game winning streak. Their bullpen has allowed just 7 runs over the last six games, showing reliability.
- The Angels have gone over the total in 15 of their last 21 games when leaving at least eight runners on base in a win, but the Reds have been an “under” team this season.
- Posts on X highlight confidence in the Reds’ moneyline and the under 4.5 runs for the first five innings, citing Greene’s dominance and the Angels’ strikeout tendencies.