Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions May 18th 2025

Reds Eye Rare Sweep of Guardians Amid Momentum Shift

The Ohio Cup has a chance to tilt decisively in the Cincinnati Reds’ favor as they go for a rare three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Winners of three straight, the Reds have tightened up in every aspect—pitching, defense, and timely hitting—while the Guardians limp into the finale having lost five of their last seven. If Cincinnati wins Sunday, it’ll mark their first sweep of Cleveland in a three-game series since 2012.

For bettors and fans, you can find live odds and projections on our MLB Odds Page.

Saturday Recap: Reds Pitching Dazzles, Offense Delivers Power

The Reds’ 4-1 win Saturday was as clean and composed a performance as manager Terry Francona could’ve hoped for. Will Benson and Rece Hinds both launched homers, while six different pitchers combined to deliver a masterclass in control and weak contact.

“From pitch one, we attacked the zone,” said lefty Brent Suter, who opened with three scoreless innings. “That’s a good lineup over there, but we made our pitches. And our bullpen just keeps answering the call.”

Cincinnati pitchers have given up just six runs over their last three games, tightening the screws after a disappointing home series loss to the Chicago White Sox, who own the AL’s worst record.

Andrew Abbott Looks to Extend Dominant Pitching Trend

Sunday’s starter for the Reds is Andrew Abbott (2-0, 2.10 ERA), who is in the middle of an underrated breakout campaign.

Abbott hasn’t earned a win in his last four outings, but he’s still dealing—he allowed just one earned run in six innings in his last start vs. the White Sox. The Reds lost in extra innings, but Abbott’s performance showed his ability to give length while controlling damage.

In two career starts vs. Cleveland, Abbott is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA, though those outings came during his rookie season. Now, with a better feel for sequencing and fastball command, Abbott has the confidence to tinker and pitch to soft contact—a trait Francona has praised.

Reds Surging Behind Balanced Attack

Cincinnati is back over .500 and trending upward thanks to a team-wide reset. Over the past three games:

• ERA: 1.91
• HRs: 5
• Errors: 0
• Opponents AVG: .212

This is without heavy reliance on their trademark baserunning, too. Francona pointed out that Saturday’s win came without stolen bases, saying: “It’s good for us to win without doing that. We played a really crisp game.”

Find Reds player props and performance odds on our MLB Picks Page.

Future Odds Shifting?

See Updated MLB Futures

Get Free Trial

Guardians Slipping After Hot Start

The Cleveland Guardians, once near the top of the AL Central, have gone cold both at the plate and on the mound. They rank:

• 11th in AL in batting average (.232)
• 12th in hits (337)
• 10th in slugging
• 9th in runs scored

Their only run Saturday came via a Daniel Schneemann solo homer, and outside of that, the Guardians failed to produce an extra-base hit.

Offensive spark plugs like Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and Steven Kwan have hit intermittent slumps, leaving the Guardians desperate for production beyond their top three hitters.

Ortiz Starts For Cleveland After Solid Outing

Trying to salvage the series, Luis Ortiz (2-4, 4.78 ERA) gets the nod for the Guardians. He’s coming off six innings of one-run ball vs. the Phillies, and he’s strung together some recent form—allowing one run or fewer in two of his last three outings.

Ortiz credits a mental reset for his better rhythm: “It’s been a combination of work, focus, and confidence. That’s where I’m at right now.”

He has history vs. the Reds, going 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA across four appearances as a member of the Pirates. He’s shown the ability to pitch deep into games and keep the ball on the ground—an ideal formula for silencing the Reds’ young lineup.

Key Stats and Trends

• Reds are 3-0 this week after losing series to White Sox
• Abbott: 2.10 ERA, 0.94 WHIP through 7 starts
• Reds bullpen: 2.41 ERA over last 10 games
• Cleveland: Lost 5 of last 7 games
• Guardians vs. LHP: .226 AVG, 27th in MLB
• Ortiz vs. Reds: 1.69 ERA in 21.1 IP
• Reds have not swept CLE in a 3-game series since 2012

FAQs

Who’s pitching in the Reds vs. Guardians series finale?
Andrew Abbott (Reds) vs. Luis Ortiz (Guardians).

When did the Reds last sweep the Guardians in a 3-game series?
Back in 2012.

What is Andrew Abbott’s ERA this season?
He’s 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA through seven starts.

How has the Reds’ bullpen performed lately?
They’ve allowed just six runs in their last three games.

Are the Guardians struggling at the plate?
Yes. They rank bottom five in several key AL offensive categories.

Where can I find betting picks and prop lines for this game?
Visit our MLB Picks Page for expert insights and best bets.