It was a little too rainy in Cincinnati on Monday, so we’ve now got ourselves a doubleheader on Tuesday between the league’s two Ohio-based franchises.
Game 1 gets going at 1:40 p.m. ET and will feature the electric Chase Burns on the mound for the Reds. Need I say more ti get your attention?
Let’s preview this interleague matinee and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Guardians vs. Reds prediction, preview
It’s truly mind-boggling how many amazing players the 2024 MLB Draft has already produced — and Burns is right at the top of that list. The former second-overall pick flashed his skill set back in 2025 across 43.1 innings, registering a 35.6% strikeout rate and a 2.65 FIP pitching out of both the rotation and the bullpen for the Reds. However, it still feels like 2026 has been the true coming out party for the flame-throwing right-hander. Over 107.2 innings of work, Burns has maintained a 2.42 ERA and a 3.14 xERA. In 16 of his 19 starts, the 23-year-old has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer. He’s just been so consistently good. Even some of the red flags aren’t so red. While Burns technically owns a league-high 88.1% strand rate, it’s somewhat validated by an eye-popping 42.7% strikeout rate with RISP. Burns literally has the ability to reach back for something extra when he needs it most. He’s an ace.
It’s slightly harder to sing the praises of Slade Cecconi, who will start opposite of Burns this afternoon for the Guardians. The 27-year-old is simply the definition of a back-end rotation piece. For his career, Cecconi is in possession of a 4.93 ERA and a 4.77 xERA. He’s surrendered 1.56 opponent home runs per nine with a 10.4% opponent barrel rate. He’s certainly not incapable of having a dazzling outing — Cecconi held the Mariners scoreless across six innings as recently as June 27 — but more often than not, the RHP will leave you wanting more. In Cecconi’s past three starts, he’s pitched to a 7.43 ERA and allowed opposing hitters to combine for a .629 slugging percentage. It’s not what you want!
Great American Ball Park doesn’t really seem like an ideal place for a man of Cecconi’s archetype to take the mound, either. Not only has Cecconi been prone to the long ball throughout his time in MLB, but he doesn’t miss bats, as evidenced by an 11th percentile whiff rate (20.0%) and an 18th percentile strikeout rate (18.0%). The Reds’ lineup isn’t as dangerous at it could be, with Matt McLain (calf) and Spencer Steer (wrist) both on the IL, yet the club has hammered 18 home runs in its nine games since the All-Star break — the fourth-most in the league. If Cecconi makes a mistake or two, they could end up as loud mistakes.
Guardians vs. Reds pick, best bet
Best Bet: Chase Burns 7+ Strikeouts (+107)
Over the past 30 days, the Guardians own the league’s fifth-highest strikeout rate (24.3%). In that same span, they also rank top 10 in swinging strike rate (11.4%). Burns hasn’t hit this prop in each of his past three starts, yet he managed at least seven strikeouts in 13 of his first 16 outings of 2026. I’ll go with the larger sample.
