Surging interleague contenders kick off a three-game series Monday night, as the Cincinnati Reds visit the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
The Reds (14–8, 1st NL Central) are off to their best start in 20 years, fresh off a sweep of the Twins in Minnesota. The Rays (12–9, 2nd AL East) recently strung together six straight wins, though they’re looking to rebound from a series loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Burgeoning Cincinnati right-hander Rhett Lowder is tabbed for his fifth start of the season. Tampa Bay has yet to list a probable starter, though veteran righty Jesse Scholtens is expected to either start or cover bulk innings behind an opener.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay enters as a -122 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Cincinnati sits as a +102 underdog, with the total set at O/U eight runs.
Reds vs. Rays Preview
Cincinnati Reds
Sunday’s win over the Twins was the Reds’ third extra-inning win in as many tries this year. It also polished off their second sweep across their first three road series to start 2026. In other words, they’re dogs.
Cincinnati has ground out its best start in two decades despite a sputtering offense. The club ranks 26th leaguewide in runs scored (78), while sitting dead last in batting average (.202), slugging percentage (.326), and OPS (.623). That’s not to say the lineup is unimposing. Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suarez have gotten off to strong starts, while top prospect Sal Stewart has looked the part of a budding superstar.
The Reds have seen early returns from their pitching staff, and on Monday, they will hand the ball to 24-year-old right-hander Rhett Lowder for his fifth start of 2026. The squad’s No. 4 prospect has pitched to the tune of a 3.52 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across his first 23 innings of work, though his underlying metrics — a 4.32 xERA and 90.7 mph average exit velocity — indicate signs of early overperformance.
However, he’s backed by a fortified bullpen whose 2.31 ERA tops the majors by more than half a run.
Tampa Bay Rays
Small-ball is alive and well in St. Petersburg. The Rays are laying down bunts, refusing to strike out, and wreaking havoc on the basepaths. The club boasts a top-three batting average fueled by scorching hot starts from Yandy Diaz and Chandler Simpson, both hitting at least .333 early on. Meanwhile, Junior Caminero — you know, the guy who hit 45 home runs last year at 21 years old — has collected seven hits (three homers) in his last five games.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has plenty of room for improvement, particularly its bullpen. Through 21 games, Rays relievers rank 26th in ERA (5.38) and 28th in home runs per nine innings (1.66).
While the club has yet to announce a starter for Monday’s game, right-hander Jesse Scholtens is expected to either start or command bulk innings behind an opener. The veteran has hurled 9.2 scoreless innings with a 0.83 across his first two turns, though his 4.12 xERA and 17.7% whiff rate are more in line with his career numbers. The Rays will bank on him to uphold his initial success, mitigating chances for another bullpen blowup.
Reds vs. Rays Pick, Best Bet
Cincinnati’s electric start includes an 8–2 mark away from Great American Ball Park — the top road record in the majors. Expect the Reds to keep the momentum rolling at the Trop, riding the hot bats of Stewart, De La Cruz, and Suarez and capitalizing against a vulnerable Tampa Bay bullpen. A road upset feels imminent for Monday night.
