Cincinnati Reds probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Boston Red Sox, May 30

Probable starting pitchers

The Cincinnati Reds, fresh off a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, currently occupy third place in the National League Central. David Bell's crew will begin a three-game set at Fenway tonight with Ben Lively on the bump.

Lively has been very good in his first two starts with the Reds. The right-hander has gone five-plus in both starts, recorded 16 punch outs, and waslked just three batters. He's been arguably the best starter in the Reds rotation over the past two weeks.

The Boston Red Sox will counter with Brayan Bello. The 24-year-old is coming off one of his best performances of the season after going seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels and allowed just two runs on six hits.

Cincinnati Reds starting lineup

Well, for all Reds fans expecting to see Elly De La Cruz in the starting lineup are going to have to wait a little longer. TJ Friedl will lead off and play center field. Matt McLain will be in the No. 2 hole and be followed by Jonathan India and Jake Fraley.

Tyler Stephenson will be behind the dish and followed by first baseman Spencer Steer. Nick Senzel is back the hot corner, and Will Benson is in left field for tonight's game. Batting ninth is right fielder Stuart Fairchild.

Which Cincinnati Reds player needs to bounce back in today's game?

The Reds bats were explosive during the last series in Chicago, but Tyler Stephenson went 0-for-4 during Sunday's finale with two strikeouts.

Stephenson has slowly been starting to come around after a relatively brutal start to the 2023 season. Stephenson is 8 for his last 29, but Cincinnati's QB! is still lacking in the power department. Perhaps that ends tonight with a 3-for-4 performance including two extra-base hits.

Which Cincinnati Reds player will be the X-factor in today's game?

The Reds will be facing a tough Red Sox squad tonight at Fenway Park. With such a inexperienced group of players, it's easy for mystique of playing in Boston to overwhelm such an young team, but rookie infielder Spencer Steer seems unfazed by the size of moment thus far.

Steer is slashing .406/.424/.719 over the past seven games and has also crushed two home runs. Will Steer launch one over the Green Monster tonight? Steer's bat could be the difference in tonight's contest.