MLB Game Preview: San Diego Padres (44-37) vs. Cincinnati Reds (43-39)

Game Details

• Matchup: San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds
• Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
• Time: 1:10 PM ET
• Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
• Broadcast: ESPN, MLB.TV

Starting Pitchers

• Padres: Dylan Cease (3-6, 4.43 ERA, 109 K)
• Reds: Nick Martinez (4-8, 4.40 ERA, 63 K)

Team Overview

San Diego Padres

• Record: 44-37 (3rd in NL West)
• Road Record: 19-23
• Key Strengths:

• Team ERA: 3.67 (3rd in NL)
• Opponents’ BA: .228 (4th in MLB)
• Manny Machado: .295 AVG, 13 HR, 47 RBI
• Luis Arraez: .349 OBP, 15 hits in last 10 games

Cincinnati Reds

• Record: 43-39 (4th in NL Central)
• Home Record: 23-18
• Key Strengths:

• Runs/Game: 4.63 (Top 10 in MLB)
• Elly De La Cruz: 18 HR, 56 RBI, .341 AVG in last 10 games
• TJ Friedl: .284 AVG, 13 doubles, 8 HR
• Spencer Steer: 3 HRs in Friday’s game

Key Matchup Insights

• Recent Form: Reds are 6-4 in their last 10; Padres are 5-5
• Head-to-Head: Reds lead the season series 1-0 after Friday’s win
• Pitching Duel: Both starters have nearly identical ERAs, but Cease has the strikeout edge
• Injury Watch: Padres are missing Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Michael King (all on IL)

X-Factors

• Elly De La Cruz (CIN): Riding a 6-game hitting streak; .341 AVG with 3 HR in last 10 games
• Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD): 15 HR, 11.9% barrel rate, 50.6% hard-hit rate
• Bullpen Battle: Reds’ relievers have a 3.81 ERA; Padres’ pen has been more volatile lately