Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians – September 24, 2024

Today is the day. It's the day the Cincinnati Reds (76-81) will decide if they have a chance to reclaim the Ohio Cup from the Cleveland Guardians (90-67) for the first time since 2014. The two teams split the two-game series in Cincinnati earlier this season. If the Reds want to reclaim the Cup, they'll need to win both games, as the former winner retains the title if the season series ends in a tie.

The first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. EDT.

Lineups

José Ramírez has two home runs and five RBIs in 36 at-bats against Reds starter Jakob Junis.

Starting pitchers

Carson Spires

A change of pitcher on game day means that Carson Spiers will be on the mound today rather than Jakob Junis, who is now expected to start tomorrow. Spiers will be making his first start since August 20 after playing long periods as a relief pitcher over the last month.

The splits against Spiers are huge, but both right-handed and left-handed hitters hit well against him. Right-handed hitters hit for a high average and a solid amount of power. Left-handed hitters hit for a very high average and a ton of power. Neither group runs him much. His home and away splits are huge. On the road, his ERA is 7.41 (4.10 at home) and opponents have an OPS of 1.005 against him (.789 at home).

Divisions

Pitch usage

Tanner Bibee

In his second season, 25-year-old right-hander Tanner Bibee has put together another solid season. In 166.2 innings (30 starts), Bibee has a 3.56 ERA and just 22 home runs allowed. His ERA is slightly higher than his rookie season, when he had a 2.98 ERA, but he's also started five more games and pitched 24.2 more innings than he did a year ago. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Bibee has been his strikeout totals. With 180 strikeouts, he's eighth in the American League. He probably won't get to 200 this season (unless the Reds have a really bad night tonight), but that he's gotten within 20 of that mark in his second year is remarkable.

Bibee has been dominant against right-handed batters this season who have a batting average under .200. He has faced many more left-handed batters, and they have a batting average over .260 against him with 14 home runs.

Divisions

Pitch usage

Game details:

• Time: 6:40 p.m. EDT
• Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
• Weather: 74 degrees, thunderstorms, 67% chance of rain
• TV: Bally Sports Ohio
• Radio: 700 WLW

News and information

A new day, a new injury

The Reds today placed Julian Aguiar, tomorrow's starter, on the injured list. Ian Gibaut was called up to replace him.

News from the Minor League

A Triple-A Louisville pitcher was named Player of the Week for his performance in the Bats' final game of the season.

In case you missed me

In case you haven't been online this week, David Bell has been fired as manager of the Reds. Redleg Nation has you covered with all the latest, including Nick Krall's comments in his press conference yesterday morning.