White Sox vs Reds Pick: Cincinnati Tries To Find Its Footing Under Francona (May 15)

• Our White Sox vs Reds pick takes a look at rebuilding Chicago, playing more respectably than in 2024, facing a thus far disappointing Cincinnati
• The White Sox are buried in last place in the AL Central, but on a somewhat positive note, they do not have the worst record in MLB
• The Reds had high expectations with the hiring of Terry Francona as manager, but they have treaded water so far this season
• Bryse Wilson starts for Chicago; veteran Nick Martinez goes for Cincinnati

Miller Tries to Continue Strong Showing as Starter

Bryse Miller has had a journeyman career with the Braves, Pirates, and Brewers before getting to the White Sox. He was solid for Milwaukee in 2023, posting a 2.58 ERA in 53 games with 60 hits allowed in 76.2 innings. For the White Sox, he spent the first month of the season as a reliever before moving into the rotation.

He has made three starts. In his first, he went 2.2 innings and gave up 5 hits and 1 run. In the second, he surrendered 9 hits and 4 earned runs in 4.2 innings. His last start was his best. Against the Marlins, he went 5 innings, gave up 3 hits, and 1 earned run.

Wilson has experience against the Reds from his time in the National League. Will Benson is 1 for 8 against him with a home run. Elly De La Cruz is 2 for 6 with a homer. TJ Friedl is 2 for 13 with a homer. Tyler Stephenson is 2 for 8 with a double.

Chicago’s offense is awful. After a good start, Andrew Benintendi is down in the .220s with limited power. Luis Robert Jr. is batting under .200, though he leads the majors in stolen bases. Andrew Vaughn is also below .200 and has a -1.1 bWAR.

Martinez Tries to Get the Reds Going

The veteran righty Nick Martinez has been part of a solid Reds rotation. In eight starts, he has a 4.23 ERA. He’s given up 47 hits in 44.2 innings, walking 11 and striking out 37. Over his past three starts, he has pitched 6 innings in each and given up a total of 5 earned runs.

The only White Sox hitter with any success against Martinez is Matt Thaiss, who is 1 for 1 with a home run.

The Reds’ pitching from top to bottom has generally been good, but their offense has been lacking. Spencer Steer and Matt McLain are both hitting under .200 with less power than expected. Jake Fraley is hitting around .200. As a team, they strike out a ton.

Elly De La Cruz is one of the most dynamic talents in baseball, but needs to harness those skills for more consistency. Austin Hays, Gavin Lux, and Noelvi Marte have all been good. Hays has been especially productive, batting over .300 with an OPS of .950.

Teams do not go from 77 wins to 90+ based solely on hiring a great manager, and the Reds are proving that with Francona. They will eventually be contenders based on the manager’s skills, and the front office will make sure to get players with whom he can win.

White Sox vs Reds Pick: Cincinnati Will Win Behind Martinez

Wilson has pitched reasonably well as a starter, but Martinez has been very good in recent starts. Neither team has been hitting much, but the White Sox are an impressive level of atrocious at the plate. The Reds will take this one at home.