As the 2026 MLB season kicks off, the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox are set to clash in the second game of their three-game series at Great American Ball Park. After a day off to accommodate any potential weather delays, both teams are back in action, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 PM ET.
Lineups to Watch:
For the Red Sox, Roman Anthony leads off in left field, followed by Trevor Story at shortstop and Jarren Duran as the designated hitter. Willson Contreras takes first base, while Wilyer Abreu covers right field. Caleb Durbin, Marcelo Mayer, Carlos Narvaez, and Ceddanne Rafaela round out the lineup.
The Reds counter with TJ Friedl in center field, Matt McLain at second, and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop. Sal Stewart holds down first base, Eugenio Suarez is the designated hitter, and Spencer Steer takes left field. Will Benson, Jose Trevino, and Ke’Bryan Hayes complete the lineup.
Pitching Matchup:
Brady Singer takes the mound for Cincinnati, entering his second season with the team. Last year, Singer thrived at home, boasting a 3.29 ERA in Cincinnati compared to a 4.88 ERA on the road. Right-handed hitters struggled against him, but lefties found more success, hitting for average and power.
Brady Singer’s 2025 Splits:
- Against RHH: .222 AVG, .293 OBP, .333 SLG
- Against LHH: .250 AVG, .330 OBP, .460 SLG
Singer's pitch arsenal includes a mix of 4-seam and 2-seam fastballs, a cutter, and a slider, with occasional changeups.
Sonny Gray, now with Boston after an offseason trade, faces off against his former team. At 36, Gray's 2025 season saw a dip with a 4.28 ERA. Right-handed batters fared well against him, but he managed to keep lefties in check.
Sonny Gray’s 2025 Splits:
- Against RHH: .282 AVG, .319 OBP, .469 SLG
- Against LHH: .245 AVG, .286 OBP, .382 SLG
Gray's repertoire features a variety of pitches, including 4-seam and 2-seam fastballs, a cutter, a curve, a slider, and a changeup.
News and Notes:
Nick Lodolo might begin his rehab soon. With a bullpen session lined up, a successful outing could see him starting rehab on Wednesday.
In other Reds news, there's buzz around their shortstop as a potential NL MVP candidate, with some analysts projecting a standout season.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ #5 prospect rebounded from a challenging second half in 2025 by striking out eight in 4.2 shutout innings during the Louisville Bats season opener, showcasing his potential with 18 swings and misses.
Division Standings:
As the season gets underway, Milwaukee and St. Louis are off to winning starts, while Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Chicago look to bounce back after opening losses. According to Fangraphs, playoff odds are already in play, with the Reds holding a 17.6% chance.
Stay tuned as the Reds and Red Sox continue their early-season battle, with plenty of storylines to follow as the action unfolds.