The Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds square off in the finale of their three-game Ohio Cup series on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, with the Reds aiming for a series sweep and a return to .500, while the Guardians look to snap a two-game slide and salvage the finale. Cincinnati has controlled the series so far with back-to-back wins, taking Friday’s opener 5–4 and following it with a well-executed 4–1 victory on Saturday behind timely hitting, clean defense, and strong pitching. Now 23–24, the Reds have won five of their last six games, riding a wave of improved starting pitching and consistent performances from Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl, who have set the tone at the top of the order with a mix of speed, patience, and aggressiveness. Sunday’s game features a promising pitching matchup as Cincinnati hands the ball to left-hander Andrew Abbott, who enters the game 2–0 with a stellar 2.10 ERA, having limited opposing hitters to a .185 batting average over 30 innings while striking out 38. The Guardians will counter with right-hander Luis Ortiz, who comes in with a 2–4 record and 4.78 ERA, hoping to rebound after a string of inconsistent starts and provide much-needed length after back-to-back outings where Cleveland’s bullpen has been forced into heavy usage.

Offensively, Cleveland has been quiet through the first two games, scoring just five combined runs, despite strong individual performances from José Ramírez (.295 AVG, .510 SLG) and Steven Kwan (.325 AVG), who have done their part to get on base and extend innings. However, the rest of the Guardians’ lineup has struggled to cash in those opportunities, and the team ranks just 23rd in MLB in both batting average (.232) and on-base percentage (.306), contributing to their current slide. Cleveland’s defense remains sharp and has helped limit damage in key moments, but the lack of run support has put a strain on the pitching staff and left little room for error. The Reds, meanwhile, have received boosts from up and down their lineup, with Gavin Lux and Jose Trevino emerging as consistent contact hitters who keep innings alive, and the defense has held strong behind Abbott and the bullpen, which has done well to close out leads over the last week. A sweep would not only push Cincinnati to 24–24 but give them serious momentum heading into a critical stretch of divisional games, while Cleveland needs a win to avoid losing ground in a competitive AL Central and to reestablish the rhythm that had them pushing 30 wins just days ago. For both teams, this finale offers more than just bragging rights—it’s a chance to build momentum, test young arms in pressure spots, and stake an early claim in the regional rivalry that’s often more intense than records alone would suggest. With first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET, expect both clubs to come out with urgency in a game that may hinge on whether the Guardians can finally string together timely hits or if the Reds’ improved pitching and scrappy offense can seal another tight win at home.