An exciting chance for MLB betting in Tennessee will shape up soon, as the Cleveland Guardians (57-62) and Cincinnati Reds (62-58) face off in their first matchup of their two-game showdown in Ohio. Which team will inch closer to the top spot in their division?

When: Game 1 on August 15, 2023 at 6:40 PM ET

Where: Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cleveland Guardians Preview

The Guardians are 4.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the division lead in the AL Central. They have gone 2-3 over their last five games and need to find a way to show consistency in order to contend for the division lead. Logan Allen starts on the mound for game one and is 5-5 this year (ERA 3.55, WHIP 1.37).

They do a solid job at the plate, with a batting average of .251. While it is not the best in the world, they allow their opponents to average .243. This could be the key difference in this matchup.

Despite having solid opportunities at the plate, their on-base percentage is lacking at .313. Their pitching might make things interesting, especially since they have an ERA of 3.80 and it is slightly better than the Reds.

The Guardians have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and need these tough road games to stay within reach of the Twins. They are 26-34 on the road and 61-58 against the spread.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Reds are doing what they can to stay close to the top in the NL Central, as they are currently tied for second with the Chicago Cubs and are 3.5 games back from the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite going 2-3 in their most recent five games, they have positive momentum after a tough road victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Graham Ashcraft is their starting pitcher in game one and is 6-7 this year (4.95 ERA, 1.41 WHIP).

They do not have much of an advantage at the plate against the Guardians, as they also have a .251 batting average. However, they have a tendency to let other teams do well, as they allow .259.

They do a solid job at getting on base with a percentage at .328, which is slightly better than the Guardians. Their ERA is a bit concerning, as they average 4.80.

The Reds picked the wrong time to struggle, as they have gone 3-7 over their last 10 games. They are 29-31 at home and have hit the team total over in 43 out of their most recent 74 games.

Betting Odds

ZenSports Tennessee sportsbook gives you the best opportunity to bet on MLB in Tennessee on this matchup. The following odds show that this matchup is a toss up, as they are both favored to potentially win.

Cincinnati Reds: -110

Run Line: +1.5 (-170)

Cleveland Guardians: -110

Run Line: -1.5 (+150)

Totals: Over 9.5 (+100), Under 9.5 (-120)

The Reds have scored 96 more runs on seven more hits than the Guardians. The Reds have also blasted 52 more home runs, indicating they are slightly more efficient on offense.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports