This is the second game of a three-game series in Cleveland.
Andrew Abbott is scheduled to pitch for Cincinnati while Slade Cecconi should get the nod for Cleveland.
Reds at Guardians prediction, preview
Andrew Abbott has been amazing to start this season. Through 53.2 innings, he’s posting a 2.18 ERA. Now, he has had some good luck, as the strand rate is 88.7% while the FIP is 3.44. The average exit velocity is 87.9 mph and the hard hit rate is only 29.6%, though.
In terms of splits, he’s been deadly against lefties, while righties have hit five of the six home runs allowed. That said, righties are only slashing .199/.278/.342 against him. Abbott has been better on the road, which isn’t a surprise since Great American Small Park is his home field.
Abbott did just get lit up by the Brewers in his last start, allowing five earned runs in six innings. In his third start of the season, he allowed four earned runs in four innings, but that game was in Colorado. In every other start, Abbot hasn’t allowed more than one earned run, with four of those shutouts. Abbott faced Cleveland four starts ago, going five innings, striking out five and walking three without allowing an earned run.
Against left-handed pitching, the Guardians have struck out at the sixth-highest rate while having the 28th-best ISO. The wOBA is 26th-best in MLB.
Slade Cecconi has pitched 20.1 innings this season, and it’s been ugly. Sure, the strikeout rate is 22.5%, but he’s already allowed six home runs. The ERA is 4.87 while the FIP is 6.12. The average exit velocity is 92.6 mph while the hard hit rate is 47.5%.
Both righties and lefties have had succes against Cecconi while he’s been quite atrocious at home. Granted, it’s a small sample size of 4.1 innings.
It’s been a tough start to the season for Cecconi, as he had to face the Yankees, Tigers and Reds on the road. Interestingly, it was the Angels that rocked him for three home runs and five earned runs in 4.1 innings at home. Cecconi faced the Reds in his first start of the season, striking out eight in five innings. He did not walk a batter and allowed three earned runs and a home run.
The Reds have struck out at the sixth-highest rate against right-handed pitching while being 10th in ISO. The wOBA is sixth-best.
As for bullpens, Cincinnati has the 24th-lowest FIP while Cleveland has the sixth-lowest.
Reds at Guardians Pick, Best Bet
I like Abbott to stymie the Guardians’ offense. I do worry about the bullpen but give me the Reds offense teeing off on Cecconi.
