Cincinnati Reds vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions July 7th 2024

Tigers Aim for Rare Series Sweep Against Reds with Skubal on the Mound

The Detroit Tigers are on the cusp of something special as they gear up to face the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. With their ace, Tarik Skubal, taking the mound, the Tigers are looking to ride their recent wave of momentum and pull off a rare series sweep.

Detroit Tigers’ Performance

Recent Success: The Tigers have a shot at winning three straight games for only the fifth time this season. Their last series sweep was at the very start of the season against the Chicago White Sox.

Saturday’s Victory: In an exciting comeback, the Tigers rallied with five runs in the eighth inning to snatch a 5-3 victory over the Reds on Saturday. Manager A.J. Hinch emphasized the significance of this win and the team’s excitement to keep the momentum going with Skubal pitching on Sunday.

Tarik Skubal’s Role: Skubal (9-3, 2.45 ERA) has been a cornerstone for the Tigers. He boasts the third-lowest ERA in the majors and ranks third in the American League with 119 strikeouts. Opposing hitters are managing just a .200 batting average against him. Skubal’s consistency, having pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 17 starts, makes him a critical player for Detroit.

Player Highlight: Parker Meadows has been a game-changer since his return from Triple-A Toledo. Meadows hit a home run in his first game back and ignited the Tigers’ late rally on Saturday with a key one-out double.

Cincinnati Reds’ Challenges

Recent Struggles: Despite recently sweeping the New York Yankees, the Reds have now lost two straight games, slipping to fourth in the National League Central. They are 4.5 games back from the second wild card spot and just 1.5 games ahead of fifth place in their division.

Player Issues and Injuries: The Reds have been hit hard by injuries, with key infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain missing most of the season. Center fielder TJ Friedl has also been out since June 23 with a hamstring injury, leaving the team struggling with depth.

Manager’s Comments: Reds manager David Bell stressed the need for everyone to step up, saying, “We need everybody… We’ll definitely be sticking with the guys we have out there, for sure.”

Pitching Prospects: The Reds are counting on Graham Ashcraft (5-4, 5.45 ERA) to deliver a solid performance on Sunday. Ashcraft has never faced the Tigers, adding an element of unpredictability to the matchup.

Historical Context and Match Anticipation

Series Sweep Significance: The Tigers are on the brink of a rare series sweep, a feat they haven’t achieved since their season-opening series against the Chicago White Sox. Securing this sweep would be a big morale booster and a testament to their resilience.

Key Players to Watch: For the Tigers, all eyes will be on Tarik Skubal and Parker Meadows. For the Reds, the spotlight is on Graham Ashcraft’s performance on the mound and whether the lineup can step up in the absence of key players.

Conclusion

Sunday’s game is a big deal for both teams. The Tigers are eager to complete a rare series sweep and build on their recent successes, while the Reds are looking to bounce back and stay competitive in the National League Central. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest with both teams having a lot on the line.