Tigers at Reds, Game Two - Preview and Lineups

This interleague thing is kinda fun! Who knew?

The Cincinnati Reds, owners of a 5-1 interleague record so far in 2018, host the Detroit Tigers for some afternoon baseball here in a bit. They’ll do so with Tyler Mahle on the mound, too, and he’s having some kind of June to this point. In three starts this month, he’s allowed a grand total of 2 ER in 16.1 IP, while opponents have posted just a .623 OPS against him in that time.

That’s helped lower his season ERA down to a respectable 3.96, which means the Reds actually have a starting pitcher with an ERA+ that has three digits - Mahle’s at 102 for the season.

Of course, they’ll have to go through Tigers ace Michael Fulmer to get the win today, and while he’s not exactly been his Rookie-of-the-Year, All-Star self to date, he’s still a formidable force on the mound they’ll have to knock around a bit to sweep the series.

Alex Blandino won’t be playing. Of course he won’t. He’s started exactly one game in the month of June, and it’s June 19th. That’s just silly. Play him somewhere, even if that’s in AAA.

First pitch is set for 12:35 PM ET.

Lineups