On June 18, the Minnesota Twins (36-36) are set to face off against the Cincinnati Reds (38-35) as they aim to break a five-game losing streak. Bailey Ober will start for the Twins against Nick Lodolo from the Reds. In their previous encounter, the Reds clinched a 6-5 victory, with standout performances from Will Benson and Jake Fraley contributing four runs collectively. The Reds are riding a three-game winning streak, heightening the stakes for the Twins.

The betting odds for the matchup indicate a tight contest, with the Twins at -108 on the moneyline and the Reds at -111. The run line favors the Reds at 1.5, while the total runs are set at 9.0. Ober, who holds a 4-3 record with a 4.40 ERA, hopes to rebound after a disappointing outing against Texas, where he allowed seven earned runs. Conversely, Lodolo comes in with a 4-5 record and a 3.76 ERA, having struggled in his last start against Cleveland.

On June 11, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds, currently at 35-33, will face the Cleveland Guardians (34-32) in a pivotal matchup. The Reds are looking for their sixth consecutive victory after a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Guardians yesterday. Nick Lodolo, who boasts a 3.21 ERA this season, is set to pitch against the Guardians' Logan Allen, who enters with a 4.42 ERA. The Guardians are struggling with only one win in their last six games, which puts them at risk of heading below .500.

The betting odds are tightly matched, with the Reds slightly favored at -105 against the Guardians at -115 on the moneyline. Bettors will be keenly watching the performance of Lodolo, who has been a strong asset for the Reds this season. Betting analysis suggests leaning towards the Guardians on the moneyline and the over on the total runs, currently set at 8.0, given the recent offensive struggles of the Guardians.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches, fantasy baseball managers should consider pivoting their approach to drafting starting pitchers. Traditional metrics such as ERA can be misleading, as outside factors often influence a pitcher's performance. Instead, focus on skills like K-BB% and CSW, alongside favorable conditions such as run support and park factors.

Big-name pitchers like Jacob deGrom, who has struggled with injuries but posted a stellar 29.5 K-BB% when healthy, present both risk and reward. Newer talents like Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves are shining, with a promising second-half showing last season. Others like Brandon Pfaadt and Nick Lodolo offer sleeper potential despite prior inconsistencies. As fewer pitchers are expected to hit 200 innings, strategizing around this evolving landscape will be key for fantasy success.

FanGraphs has unveiled its projections for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, suggesting the team is likely to hover around a .500 win-loss record. Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the standout performer, projected to achieve an fWAR of 5.0 with a batting line of .263/.335/.472, including 25 home runs and 54 stolen bases. Matt McLain, returning from shoulder surgery, is anticipated to be the second-best player with an fWAR of 4.0 and a batting average of .254.

While the catching duo of Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino is projected to contribute significantly with a combined fWAR of 3.6, the overall lineup is seen as underwhelming. The third base position, manned by Noelvi Marte, Santiago Espinal, and Jeimer Candelario, is forecasted to have the lowest fWAR on the team at just 0.7. On the pitching front, Hunter Greene is projected to maintain a solid performance, with a record of 8-7 and a 3.62 ERA.

However, the Reds' bullpen is viewed negatively, with a combined fWAR of -0.3, highlighting a need for improvement. The projections echo fan sentiments, indicating the necessity for the Reds to bolster their roster if they aim to contend effectively in 2025.

Roansy Contreras, once a top prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has signed with the Cincinnati Reds after being designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers. The 25-year-old pitcher debuted in the majors in 2021, recording a 9-12 record and a 4.83 ERA over four seasons with Pittsburgh.

Contreras joins a Reds rotation that includes Brady Singer and Nick Martinez, providing depth as they aim to improve in 2025. Meanwhile, the Pirates are also looking forward to a promising season with their young talents.