Guardians vs Reds Picks and Prediction – 5/18/2025

The Cleveland Guardians complete a three-game series on the road Sunday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Cleveland is 25-19 following its 5-4 loss to the Reds in the opening game of the series on Friday.. Cleveland has lost two straight and four of the last six. The Guardians are second in the American League Central, 4 ½ games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers. Keep up to date with all the MLB action with our MLB predictions.

Steven Kwan is batting .320 to lead Cleveland and has team highs in hits with 55 and on-base percentage at .381. Kyle Manzardo is the leader in home runs with 10 and RBI with 25. Cleveland is batting .232 with a .381 slugging percentage. On Sunday, the Cleveland Guardians will send Luis Ortiz to the mound. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.78 ERA, 49 Ks, and 21 BBs.

The Cincinnati Reds improved to 22-24 following Friday’s one-run victory over the Guardians. Will Benson hit a three-run homer for Cincinnati, and Brady Singer posted his fifth win of the season for the Reds. Cincinnati has won two straight. Cincinnati is 3rd in the National League Central, 4 ½ games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs.

Gavin Lux is batting .297 to lead Cincinnati and has a team-high .386 on-base percentage. Elly De La Cruz is the leader in home runs with eight, RBI with 31, and hits with 46. Cincinnati is batting .241 with a .389 slugging percentage. On Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds will send Andrew Abbott to the mound. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA, 38 Ks, and 12 BBs.

Cincinnati will win at home on Sunday, but the play here is UNDER. The UNDER has cashed in four of Cleveland’s last five and each of Cincinnati's last five. Cleveland starter Louis Ortiz is coming off a strong outing in which the right-hander allowed one run on four hits across six innings. Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott has had three consecutive strong outings, allowing one run on 11 hits across 15 innings. Final Score Prediction: Cincinnati Reds win but our best play is UNDER 5-2.