Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 05/16/26

Progressive FieldCLEG, CINR
Reds
24-21
Reds
Today
Guardians
24-22
Guardians

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Cleveland Guardians
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Reds vs Guardians Pickswise Expert Predictions

Game Totals Pick
Over 8.5(-105)

Chris Paddack (7.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) is back in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds after a whirlwind with the Miami Marlins that saw the 30-year-old RHP designated for assignment, released days later and now signed with the Reds in need of an arm to bolster the rotation due to injury issues. It’s been a bit of a disastrous 2026 for Paddack, who sits in the 7th percentile in pitching run value. Paddack has gone a full 5.0 innings or more just once this season and been cracked for 5+ ER on multiple occasions. The Reds bullpen hasn’t been much better in relief, ranking 26th in the league with a combined 4.64 ERA.

On the flip side, Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (2.98 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) has posted better numbers than his counterpart, but faces a tall task against a Reds lineup that’s found its groove lately. In the last 6 games, Cincinnati is posting a 124 wRC+ and has scored an average of roughly 7 runs per game throughout that stretch. I’ll fade Paddack and back the Reds’ offense in this spot and take the over 8.5.

Reds vs Guardians prediction: Over 8.5 (-105) at time of publishing.

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Ryan Bunnell

Ryan is a die-hard sports fan with a passion for crunching numbers and finding winning picks. He works on the Pickswise social media team and recently began handicapping MLB games. He has years of experience delivering winning picks in both college football and the UFC and is looking to expand his areas of expertise. For Ryan Bunnell media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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