The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, July 29, for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch. Brady Singer gets the ball for Cincinnati, squaring off against left-hander Joey Cantillo in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup between two Ohio clubs. With the Reds sending out a lineup anchored by Elly De La Cruz at the top and a deep middle-order mix of veterans and young talent, this is a home game Cincinnati will want to protect. For Reds fans in the Queen City, it is the kind of mid-summer night that Great American Ball Park was built for.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians Game Preview: July 29, 2026

Starting Pitchers: Singer vs. Cantillo

Brady Singer draws the start for the Reds. Singer came over from Kansas City and brings a repertoire built around a sharp four-seam fastball and a riding sinker that generates plenty of weak contact. When Singer is locating his fastball and keeping hitters off his breaking ball, he is capable of eating innings and giving the Reds' offense time to do its work. Cleveland counters with Joey Cantillo, a left-handed arm who relies on deception and a varied arsenal to keep opposing lineups guessing. A Cincinnati lineup that leans right-handed should get looks at Cantillo early and force him to work.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

• 1. Elly De La Cruz — SS
• 2. Sal Stewart — 1B
• 3. Dane Myers — CF
• 4. Eugenio Suárez — DH
• 5. Tyler Stephenson — C
• 6. Noelvi Marte — RF
• 7. Ivan Johnson — LF
• 8. Edwin Arroyo — 2B
• 9. Ke'Bryan Hayes — 3B

Keys to Watch

• Elly De La Cruz setting the table: Everything in this offense starts with De La Cruz. When he gets on base and uses his speed, the Reds create problems that no defense can fully solve. Cleveland will have to make a choice every single at-bat against him.
• Suárez in the cleanup spot: Eugenio Suárez batting fourth as the designated hitter gives Cincinnati a proven power threat in the heart of the order. If Stewart or Myers can work their way on base ahead of him, Suárez has the ability to change the game in one swing.
• Singer's command: Singer's effectiveness is directly tied to how well he commands the fastball. If he is spotting it to both sides of the plate early in counts, this could be a long night for Cleveland's lineup. If he falls behind hitters, the Guardians have enough patience at the plate to make him pay.
• Arroyo and Hayes at the bottom of the order: Edwin Arroyo and Ke'Bryan Hayes batting eighth and ninth gives the Reds a legitimate second run through the order rather than an automatic out. Both are capable of manufacturing runs and turning the lineup over to De La Cruz in high-leverage moments.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Cincinnati at home with Singer on the mound and a lineup that has genuine length top to bottom. The Reds take this one, 4-2, behind a quality start from Singer and a two-run blast from Suárez in the middle innings. Catch it on Reds.TV or WLW 700.