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Cleveland arrives in Cincinnati carrying the weight of a five-game losing streak and a roster that has been outplayed in seven of its last ten games. The Guardians are still within two games of a playoff position, but the margin for continued drift is shrinking. Against them stands a Reds team that has quietly found its footing since the All-Star break, going 6-4 over its last ten games and carrying genuine momentum into this home matchup.

The pitching matchup alone is worth the attention. Chase Burns has been one of the more dominant starters in the National League this season, posting a 12-1 record with a 2.42 ERA and 124 strikeouts. Opposing him is Slade Cecconi, who carries a 4-7 record and 4.60 ERA into a start that was pushed back by rain. For Cleveland, José Ramírez — 43 runs scored and 24 stolen bases — remains the engine of an offense that needs to rediscover itself. For Cincinnati, Sal Stewart’s 21 home runs and 76 RBI make him the most dangerous bat in a lineup that has been building toward something.

Cleveland Guardians at Cincinnati Reds Game Information

Game Date: July 28, 2026
Game Time: 07:10 PM ET
TV Channel: Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, and MLB.TV – Cleveland Guardians
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

Cleveland sits two games back in the wild card picture, which makes this stretch of games consequential rather than comfortable. A five-game skid has erased whatever cushion the Guardians had built, and a team that was playing meaningful baseball now finds itself needing wins against a club it should be able to handle on paper. Cincinnati, 16 games back in the NL Central, is playing for development and pride — but a 6-4 mark over the last ten games suggests the Reds are competing hard regardless of where the standings have them.

Cincinnati Reds Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 49-55
Home Record: 22-28
Away Record: 27-27
Division Record: 8-23
Streak: 1 Win streak
Winning Percentage: .471

Cleveland Guardians Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 54-53
Home Record: 27-26
Away Record: 27-27
Division Record: 17-13
Streak: 5 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .505

Stat Leaders

Cincinnati Reds (49-55, #5 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Blake Dunn, 0.282
RBI Leader: Sal Stewart, 76 RBI
Home Run Leader: Sal Stewart, 21 HR
Runs Leader: Elly De La Cruz, 58 Runs
Hits Leader: Sal Stewart, 100 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Elly De La Cruz, 18 SB
ERA Leader: Tejay Antone, 2.25 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Chase Burns, 124 K
Wins Leader: Chase Burns, 12 W
Saves Leader: Emilio Pagán, 10 SV

Cleveland Guardians (54-53, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Chase DeLauter, 0.282
RBI Leader: Chase DeLauter, 50 RBI
Home Run Leader: Kyle Manzardo, 11 HR
Runs Leader: José Ramírez, 43 Runs
Hits Leader: Brayan Rocchio, 97 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: José Ramírez, 24 SB
ERA Leader: Franco Aleman, 1.54 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Gavin Williams, 156 K
Wins Leader: Gavin Williams, 10 W
Saves Leader: Cade Smith, 29 SV

What to Watch For

Chase Burns is the obvious focal point. A 12-1 record with a 2.42 ERA is the kind of season that commands attention in any context, and a Cleveland offense that has struggled through a brutal recent stretch gives him a favorable matchup on paper. The Guardians will need Ramírez and Travis Bazzana — hitting .239 with 9 home runs and 15 stolen bases — to find ways on base and manufacture something against a pitcher who has been nearly untouchable.

For Cleveland, Cecconi’s 4.60 ERA reflects a pitcher who has been inconsistent, but the Reds’ lineup has its own vulnerabilities. Several Cincinnati regulars are hitting well below .250, and with Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, and Blake Dunn all on the injured list, the Reds are working with a thinned-out group. That opens the door for players like JJ Bleday — 17 home runs and 44 RBI — and Elly De La Cruz, who has scored 58 runs and stolen 18 bases, to carry more of the offensive load.

Cade Smith’s 29 saves give Cleveland a reliable late-game option if the bullpen is needed, while Emilio Pagán’s 10 saves anchor Cincinnati’s back end. How each team manages the middle innings could determine whether either starter’s early work holds up.

Cincinnati Reds Injury Report

Spencer Steer – Wrist (D10) – The Cincinnati Reds placed INF Spencer Steer on the 10-day injured list with right wrist sprain.
Nick Lodolo – Finger (D15) – The Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Nick Lodolo on the 15-day injured list with blister left index finger.
Matt McLain – Calf (D10) – The Cincinnati Reds placed INF Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list with a strained calf.
Brandon Williamson – Shoulder (D60) – The Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Brandon Williamson to the 60-day injured list with left shoulder fatigue.
Graham Ashcraft – Forearm (D60) – The Cincinnati Reds placed RHP Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day injured list due to a sprained right forearm.
Blake Dunn – Elbow (D10) – The Cincinnati Reds placed OF Blake Dunn on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow sprain.
Tony Santillan – Oblique (D15) – The Cincinnati Reds placed RHP Tony Santillan on the 15-day injured list with an oblique strain.

Cleveland Guardians Injury Report

Shawn Armstrong – Leg (D15) – The Cleveland Guardians placed RHP Shawn Armstrong on the 15-day injured list due to left calf strain.

Cincinnati Reds Upcoming 2026 Schedule

July 28, 2026 vs Cleveland Guardians
July 28, 2026 vs Cleveland Guardians
July 29, 2026 vs Cleveland Guardians
July 30, 2026 vs Pittsburgh Pirates
July 31, 2026 vs Pittsburgh Pirates
August 01, 2026 vs Pittsburgh Pirates
August 02, 2026 vs Pittsburgh Pirates
August 04, 2026 vs Athletics
August 05, 2026 vs Athletics
August 06, 2026 vs Athletics

Cleveland Guardians Upcoming 2026 Schedule

July 28, 2026 at Cincinnati Reds
July 28, 2026 at Cincinnati Reds
July 29, 2026 at Cincinnati Reds
July 31, 2026 vs Arizona Diamondbacks
August 01, 2026 vs Arizona Diamondbacks
August 02, 2026 vs Arizona Diamondbacks
August 04, 2026 vs New York Mets
August 05, 2026 vs New York Mets
August 06, 2026 vs New York Mets
August 07, 2026 at Chicago White Sox

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.