Cincinnati Reds: Series preview versus Detroit Tigers

The Cincinnati Reds return home for a two-game series with Detroit Tigers.

The Cincinnati Reds, following an off-day on Monday, will start a two-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at Great American Ballpark. The Reds went 3-2 on their brief road trip to Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

The Detroit Tigers are 36-37, 2.5 games behind the AL Central Division-leading Cleveland Indians. The Tigers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won 5 straight. Detroit is 7 games below .500 on the road, a statistic the Reds are hoping to take advantage of.

The Reds finally got their bats working on Sunday against the Pirates. Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler each blasted a 2-run homer in the series finale versus Pittsburgh. The Reds are 4-1 against the AL Central thus far this season, however, the Detroit has defeated Cincinnati in 4 straight games. Something’s got to give.

Probable starting pitchers

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Tuesday, June 19th

Sal Romano (3-7, 5.67 ERA) vs Matthew Boyd (4-4, 3.23 ERA)

Sal Romano had his best outing of the year his last time on the mound. Romano went 8 innings, allowed only 4 hits and 1 run. While he didn’t get the win, Romano helped the Reds get the win against the Royals.

Matthew Boyd is having a solid season for the Tigers. Over the past 4 games, all wins for Detroit, Boyd has pitched 23.1 innings with a 3.09 ERA. The Tigers are 2-4 on the road when Boyd is on the bump, and the Reds are hoping that trend continues on Tuesday.

Wednesday, June 20th

Tyler Mahle (5-6, 3.96 ERA) vs Michael Fulmer (3-5, 4.13 ERA)

Tyler Mahle, like Romano, had probably his best start of the season this past week against the Royals. Mahle went 6.1,  tied for his longest outing of the season, allowed only 3 hits and no runs on 88 pitches.

Michael Fulmer got the win his last time out, but before that Tigers were 1-6 in his previous 7 starts. During that stretch, Fulmer allowed 6 home runs and walked 18 batters.

Key Players for the Tigers

• Nick Castellanos, RF: .310/.353/.502
• Jeimer Candelario, 3B: .250/.352/.474

Key Injuries for the Tigers

• Miguel Cabrera – ruptured biceps tendon

How to watch

When: Tuesday, June 19th 7:10 ET and Wednesday, June 20th 12:35 ET

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Radio: 700 WLW, Reds Radio Network

Live streaming: Fox Sports Go