Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction 5/17/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Guardians Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, May 17th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Cleveland Guardians Preview

The Cleveland Guardians have a 25-22 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the AL Central. They have a 14-10 home record and are coming off a 7-4 home win against the Reds. They will face the Tigers and the Phillies next.

The Guardians have a .229 batting average this season, .323 OBP and .366 Slugging percentage. Cleveland’s pitching staff has a 3.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Chase DeLauter is the team’s best hitter with a .278 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 26. Angel Martinez adds a team‑high 8 home runs.

Gavin Williams (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Guardians, and he has a 5-3 record, 3.74 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Cincinnati Reds Preview

The Cincinnati Reds have a 24-22 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 11-11 away record and are coming off a 4-7 loss on the road against the Guardians. They will face the Phillies and the Cardinals next.

The Reds have a .226 batting average this season, .311 OBP and .392 Slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 4.64 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .299 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 30 and adding a team‑high 10 home runs.

Brady Singer (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds, and he has a 2-3 record, 5.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.

Cincinnati Reds @ Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends: May 17, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Gavin Williams      Record this season: 5-3      ERA: 3.74
• Home Record: 2-1
• Last 5 against Reds: –

Why the Cleveland Guardians will win

• The Reds have lost each of their last nine road games following a road loss.
• The Guardians have won seven of their last eight day games against the Reds following a win.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in four of their last five home games against National League opponents.
• The Reds have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games as underdogs against the Guardians following a loss.
• The Reds have lost the first inning in each of their last three day games against AL Central opponents.
• The Reds have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven road day games.
• The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five day games against AL Central opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Brady Singer      Record this season: 2-3      ERA: 5.79
• Road Record: 0-2
• Last 5 against Guardians: 1-2

Why the Cincinnati Reds will win

• The Guardians have lost each of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a win.
• The Reds have won each of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven Sunday games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Reds have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games against American League opponents.
• The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Reds’ last eight day games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Guardians’ last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last eight home games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Reds’ last nine games.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

• Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in seven of the Guardians’ last 15 games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Jose Ramirez has recorded two or more hits in each of the Guardians’ last four games as favorites against NL opponents.
• Jose Ramirez ranks 1st in the league in Steals (20) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

• Elly De La Cruz has hit a home run in three of the Reds’ last five day games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Brady Singer has recorded four or more strikeouts in 11 of his last 12 appearances in day games.
• Elly De La Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Reds’ last 15 road games against AL Central opponents.
• Brady Singer has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against AL Central opponents.
• Sal Stewart is one of only two players to record 10+ Home Runs and 10+ Stolen Bases this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Guardians rank 2nd in the league for steals this season (51).
• The Guardians rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (432).
• The Reds rank 29th in the league for batting average this season (.225).
• The Reds rank 29th in the league for walks allowed this season (217).

Reds vs Guardians Prediction

The Reds are 6-2 in their last 8 meetings against the Guardians but are 3-4 in their last 7 meetings in Cleveland.

In this Reds vs Guardians Prediction, the Guardians are coming as -170 home favorites. Both pitchers in this matchup have been in bad form lately, but Gavin Williams has been solid at home for the Guardians with a 2.39 home ERA, while on the other hand, Singer has been terrible on the road for the Reds with a 7.04 road ERA. The Reds also have a terrible bullpen that ranks 27th in baseball, so I like the Guardians to take care of business at home in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Cleveland Guardians ML