Reds take on the Tigers in first of 3-game series

Detroit Tigers (14-12, second in the AL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (16-9, second in the NL Central)

Cincinnati; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 20 strikeouts); Reds: Andrew Abbott (0-2, 5.84 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 15 strikeouts)

LINE: Tigers -135, Reds +114; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds host the Detroit Tigers on Friday to open a three-game series.

Cincinnati is 16-9 overall and 6-6 at home. The Reds have a 5-1 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.

Detroit is 4-10 in road games and 14-12 overall. The Tigers have the 10th-best team ERA in MLB play at 3.65.

Friday's game is the first meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sal Stewart has eight home runs, 15 walks and 23 RBIs while hitting .297 for the Reds. Elly De La Cruz is 11 for 43 with two doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs over the past 10 games.

Kevin McGonigle has a .319 batting average to lead the Tigers, and has 10 doubles, two triples and a home run. Riley Greene is 11 for 30 with a home run and six RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Reds: 7-3, .204 batting average, 3.30 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs

Tigers: 7-3, .256 batting average, 3.64 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs

INJURIES: Reds: Jose Trevino: 10-Day IL (back), Caleb Ferguson: 15-Day IL (oblique), Hunter Greene: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Lodolo: 15-Day IL (finger)

Tigers: Bailey Horn: 60-Day IL (elbow), Trey Sweeney: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Parker Meadows: 60-Day IL (head/arm), Zach McKinstry: 10-Day IL (hip/abdominal), Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (hip), Troy Melton: 60-Day IL (elbow), Beau Brieske: 60-Day IL (groin)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.