The Cincinnati Reds are set to face off against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday at Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET.
Kansas City (67-55 SU, 67-55 RL, and 56-64-2 O/U) will send right-hander Brady Singer to the mound. The 28-year-old has recorded an 8-8 record with a 3.32 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 24 games this season.
On the other side, Cincinnati (60-62 SU, 68-54 RL, and 55-63-4 O/U) will counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott. The 25-year-old boasts a 10-9 record, a 3.59 ERA, and a 1.29 WHIP over his 24 starts this year.
*This article was prepared before the conclusion of Saturday’s matchup.
Royals Eyeing Postseason Glory
In August, Kansas City has experienced a mix of success and challenges, winning 7 out of 13 games. The Royals remain 12 games above the .500 mark and are positioned well to contend for an American League Wild Card spot if they are unable to catch Cleveland in the A.L. Central.
The driving forces behind the Royals are shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (8.1 WAR) and catcher Salvador Perez (2.4 WAR). Kansas City ranks 15th in on-base percentage (.311) and 12th in OPS (.729). Moreover, the pitching staff has demonstrated solid performance, holding a 3.85 ERA (9th) and 1.26 WHIP (16th) this season.
Brady Singer will take the mound for Kansas City in Cincinnati. In his previous outing, he gave up six runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in a five-inning loss to Minnesota. His record on the road stands at 2-4, with a 4.47 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 11 starts. Singer has faced the Reds only once, back in 2021.
Reds Seeking Consistency Amid Fluctuations
Entering this series, Cincinnati was riding a four-game winning streak but faltered in game one, suffering a 7-1 defeat. The Reds were competitive until they allowed four runs in the ninth inning and struggled offensively, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position against Michael Lorenzen and the Royals’ bullpen.
Leading the charge for Cincinnati are shortstop Elly De La Cruz (4.3 WAR) and left fielder Spencer Steer (2.0 WAR). This season, the Reds sit at 25th in on-base percentage (.303) and 17th in OPS (.704). Their pitching corps has performed well, holding a 3.87 ERA (10th) and 1.23 WHIP (10th).
Andrew Abbott will pitch for the Reds on Sunday. In his last performance, he limited St. Louis to one run on five hits, striking out six over 6.2 innings. At home, he has a 5-4 record with a 3.34 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 11 starts. Abbott has a solid 110:51 K:BB ratio in 133.0 innings this season, but he has yet to face the Royals.
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Strategic Wagering on Royals vs. Reds
A wager on the Royals to win by at least two runs appears favorable for the upcoming match. In his last start, Singer struck out nine batters, marking his highest total since the beginning of the season. He is expected to play a crucial role for Kansas City as they push for the playoffs.
Cincinnati has proven to be unreliable, even on their home turf. The team has struggled to gain momentum in the N.L. Central and has posted disappointing day game statistics, including a .215 batting average and a .294 on-base percentage. Additionally, they have struggled against right-handed pitchers this year.
Since the All-Star break, Kansas City has shown impressive offensive production, hitting .282 with an OPS of .795 while averaging 5.5 runs per game in August. Abbott’s performance can be unpredictable, as his 4.07 xERA suggests potential negative regression. It is unlikely he will pitch deep into the game, having failed to last more than five innings in three of his last five appearances.
