Reds vs Tigers Pick: Miley Continues Working His Way Back (Jun 15)

• Our Reds vs Tigers pick gauges the rubber game of a 3-game set between Cincinnati and Detroit at Comerica Park
• Detroit currently leads MLB in wins and is riding high in 1st place in the AL Central
• Cincinnati has climbed over .500 and is within striking distance of a playoff spot
• The Reds start veteran Wade Miley; Detroit counters with youngster Sawyer Gipson-Long

Reds’ Miley Makes 2nd Start After Tommy John Surgery

The Reds at 36-35 are trying to get past the mediocrity of .500 and string together a few wins to get into realistic contention. They have split the first two games of their series against the MLB frontrunning Tigers.

For the rubber game, they start veteran lefty Wade Miley. Miley underwent Tommy John surgery last year and has made two appearances this season, one start and one relief appearance. The relief appearance was unsightly. He allowed 4 earned runs and 6 hits in 2 innings against his former team, the Brewers. His first start was against the Guardians, and he was serviceable giving up 3 earned runs and 5 hits in 5 innings.

Against the Tigers, Miley has faced Javier Baez 24 times, with the free-swinging Baez recording 5 hits with 1 double, 1 homer, and 2 walks. Jake Rogers is 1 for 3 with a single. Gleyber Torres is 0 for 2 with a walk.

The Reds’ Elly De La Cruz continues developing into a star with an .833 OPS, 15 homers, and 20 stolen bases. TJ Friedl has an .834 OPS. Several critical Cincinnati bats are scuffling. Matt McLain has a .603 OPS, Jake Fraley is batting .222, and Spencer Steer is hitting .226.

Tigers Send Young Righty Gipson-Long to the Hill

Sawyer Gipson-Long is also returning from Tommy John surgery and now has an opportunity to establish himself in the Tigers’ starting rotation after the news that top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe needs…Tommy John surgery.

Gipson-Long has two appearances this season. He’s thrown 8.1 innings, given up 8 hits and 4 earned runs, walking 1 and striking out 8.

Gipson-Long has never faced the Reds.

Detroit has won 13 of its last 19.

Baez has heated up again after a recent slump. His average is up to .279 with a .749 OPS.

The Reds corralled the Tigers on Saturday in an 11-1 win. But on Friday, Detroit won 11-5 with Gleyber Torres hitting 2 home runs and Riley Greene adding another. Baez went 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored.

Reds vs Tigers Pick: Detroit Will Win the Battle of Returning Pitchers

With both Miley and Gipson-Long returning from Tommy John surgery, neither should pitch deep into the game. The two teams have strong bullpens, so it will come down to offense. Miley is vulnerable to the home run ball, so expect the Tigers to outscore the Reds and win the game.