Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions May 16th 2025

Francona Faces Familiar Foe as Reds Host Guardians for Rivalry Weekend

Terry Francona spent 11 memorable seasons as the manager of the Cleveland Guardians, amassing 921 wins, guiding the franchise to six playoff berths, and nearly capturing the 2016 World Series title. Now, for the first time since retiring from the Cleveland dugout, he’ll manage against his old club—this time from the Cincinnati Reds bench.

The Reds open a three-game series Friday night at Great American Ball Park, and for Francona, the emotional subtext is impossible to ignore.

“It’s Rivalry Weekend, and it’s special to see Tito [Francona] back in the dugout across from the Guardians,” said a Reds team spokesperson. “It’s a full-circle baseball moment.”

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Francona’s Legacy in Cleveland Still Resonates

From 2013 to 2023, Francona helped shape the identity of Cleveland’s baseball team. He introduced a culture of resilience, built trust with players, and played a vital role in developing cornerstone talents—none more important than Jose Ramirez.

Ramirez debuted as a 20-year-old rookie during Francona’s first season and blossomed into one of the game’s most consistent hitters. Now 32, Ramirez is riding a 9-game hitting streak into Friday’s opener. He’s slashing .406 with three homers and seven RBIs during the streak.

“For Hosey, you just run out of ways to describe him,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “He always steps up when we need him.”

Ramirez ranks second in franchise history in extra-base hits (675), trailing only Hall of Famer Earl Averill. And nearly all of those hits—579 of them—came under Francona’s watch.

De La Cruz Leads Reds Into Key Series

While Francona once nurtured a young Dominican phenom in Ramirez, he’s now doing the same in Elly De La Cruz, a 23-year-old shortstop with game-changing speed and power.

De La Cruz has found his power stroke recently, launching three home runs in his last five games, including a 395-foot opposite-field bomb in Thursday’s 7-1 win over the White Sox. He now has eight homers and 15 steals in 45 games this season.

“That opposite-field home run was really pretty,” Francona said. “When you’re driving the ball the other way with authority, it means your swing’s in the right place.”

De La Cruz remains the heartbeat of Cincinnati’s offense. His impact could decide the outcome of a series the Reds are eager to win after dropping their last four.

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Pitching Preview: Bibee vs. Singer in Friday Opener

Friday’s pitching matchup features two promising but inconsistent right-handers:

• Tanner Bibee (3-3, 3.80 ERA) goes for the Guardians. He was dominant in his last start, giving up just one run in seven innings against the Phillies. He’s 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two career starts vs. Cincinnati.
• Brady Singer (4-2, 4.97 ERA) counters for the Reds. He’s had trouble lately, allowing seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings against Houston last Saturday. Lifetime, Singer is 2-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 14 appearances vs. Cleveland.

Pitching will be crucial in this series as both teams rank in the middle of the pack in bullpen ERA and rely heavily on starters going deep into games.

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Guardians Begin a Crucial Road Swing

Cleveland begins a 10-game road trip that includes its first visit to Minnesota and a key divisional battle against the Detroit Tigers. This series in Cincinnati serves as the launching pad for what could be a defining stretch of their season.

At 30-17, the Guardians are competing tightly in the AL Central and want to keep pace with Detroit, who they face next week. That adds extra urgency to securing wins against a Reds team that has struggled for consistency.

Reds Need to Capitalize at Home

Cincinnati’s 21-24 record feels underwhelming given their high-upside roster. They’ve been shut out seven times, lost their last four series, and rank near the bottom in team batting average.

Still, Thursday’s convincing win over the White Sox offered a glimpse of what they’re capable of when everything clicks. The Reds had 13 hits and struck out just six times in the game—a sharp contrast to their recent trend.

“We’ve got talent here,” Francona said. “But we’ve got to figure out how to win together, especially at home.”

Key Trends and Stats

• Jose Ramirez is batting .406 over his 9-game hitting streak
• Elly De La Cruz has 3 HRs in his last 5 games
• Brady Singer has a 6.75 ERA over his last 3 starts
• Tanner Bibee has allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 5 of his last 7 starts
• Guardians are 8-2 in their last 10 games
• Reds are 2-6 in their last 8 home games

FAQs

Who is starting Friday night for the Reds and Guardians?
Brady Singer (Reds) vs. Tanner Bibee (Guardians).

What is Terry Francona’s connection to the Guardians?
He managed Cleveland from 2013 to 2023, winning 921 games and making 6 playoff appearances.

How is Jose Ramirez performing right now?
He’s riding a 9-game hitting streak with a .406 average during that span.

Is Elly De La Cruz heating up?
Yes. He’s homered three times in five games and now has 8 HR and 15 SB this season.

How have the Reds performed lately?
They’ve lost their last four series and are 3 games under .500 at 21-24.

Where can I find predictions and best bets for this series?
Check out our MLB Picks Page for game previews, betting picks, and player props.