The Cincinnati Reds return home to Great American Ball Park on June 17, 2025, to host the Minnesota Twins with a 37–35 record that keeps them in the thick of the National League Central race, despite occasional turbulence in both the rotation and bullpen. After splitting their last series and navigating a tough stretch on the road, the Reds are looking to reassert their home-field advantage and continue building momentum in a division that remains tightly contested from top to bottom. They’ll send left-hander Nick Lodolo to the mound, who brings a 5–2 record and 3.94 ERA into the game, giving the Reds a solid chance to neutralize a Minnesota lineup that has been streaky of late. Lodolo has been effective in recent starts, showing strong command of his sharp-breaking curveball and a fastball that can ride in on right-handed hitters, especially important against a Twins lineup that features several aggressive right-handed bats. Offensively, Cincinnati continues to be led by the electric Elly De La Cruz, whose combination of blazing speed, raw power, and defensive wizardry makes him the most impactful player in the Reds’ lineup and a legitimate National League All-Star candidate. His presence at the top of the order sets the tone, while Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand add punch in the middle of the order, capable of driving in runs and extending rallies with power and patience.

The Reds have also benefited from strong contributions by TJ Friedl, who provides table-setting speed and defensive excellence in center field, and Tyler Stephenson, whose bat has heated up in June after a slow start to the season. Cincinnati’s offense thrives on pressure—aggressive baserunning, hit-and-run tactics, and manufacturing runs from infield singles and stolen bases—making them especially dangerous in their home park, where short dimensions and fast turf often reward hustle. Defensively, the Reds have improved considerably, with De La Cruz anchoring the infield and solid glove work around the diamond minimizing extra outs that plagued them in past seasons. Their bullpen, while still a work in progress, has shown better structure of late, with Alexis Díaz reclaiming his role as closer and young arms like Fernando Cruz and Lucas Sims providing solid bridge innings. However, the relief corps remains vulnerable when taxed and has been prone to control issues in tight games, a factor that could loom large against a Twins team that thrives in late-inning pressure. Cincinnati has been one of the more reliable betting teams this season, with a 36–32 record against the spread, and they enter Tuesday’s contest as slight -1.5 favorites, reflecting both their strong play at home and Lodolo’s recent form. To secure the win, the Reds will need Lodolo to pitch efficiently into the sixth or seventh inning, avoid costly walks, and keep Minnesota’s power in check while trusting their aggressive offense to produce early and often. With every game critical in a competitive division, the Reds know the importance of protecting home turf and using this series to establish rhythm as they charge into the summer months with postseason hopes still very much alive.