The Cleveland Guardians travel to Great American Ball Park to face the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, July 27, with first pitch set for 7:10 PM ET on ESPN. Slade Cecconi gets the ball for Cleveland against Cincinnati's Chase Burns in an Ohio rivalry matchup that carries real weight heading into the dog days of the 2026 season. This is a divisional-adjacent showdown between two National Central and American Central clubs that know each other well, and with the Guardians away from Progressive Field, every win on the road counts.

Probable Pitchers: Cecconi vs. Burns

Slade Cecconi draws the start for Cleveland. The right-hander has been part of the Guardians' rotation conversation this season, and Monday night gives him a significant stage — a nationally televised game against one of the more electric young pitchers in the National League.

Chase Burns is the headliner for Cincinnati. The hard-throwing Reds starter has established himself as one of the more imposing arms in the NL, and pitching at home at Great American Ball Park, he figures to be a genuine challenge for the Guardians' offense. Cleveland will need to be disciplined at the plate and make Burns work deep into counts.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup to Watch

The Reds are sending out a lineup that demands respect from top to bottom. A few names Cleveland's pitching staff needs to account for:

• Elly De La Cruz (SS, leadoff) — The five-tool shortstop is one of the most dangerous table-setters in baseball. His combination of speed and raw power makes him a threat every time he steps in the box, and getting him out in the first inning sets a tone.
• JJ Bleday (RF, No. 3) — Slotted third in the order, Bleday is a left-handed bat who can do damage against right-handed pitching. Cecconi will need a plan against him early.
• Eugenio Suárez (3B, cleanup) — The veteran third baseman is a proven power hitter. Pitching around him is an option, but with Nathaniel Lowe hitting fifth, there are no easy outs in this middle of the order.
• Tyler Stephenson (C, No. 6) — Stephenson is a legitimate offensive catcher who can hurt you if you lose focus in the middle innings.

Three Keys for the Guardians

• Keep De La Cruz off the bases. When he gets on, Cincinnati's offense becomes exponentially more dangerous. Limiting his damage in the first inning in particular is essential.
• Make Burns throw pitches. Grinding at-bats and fouling off tough offerings is how Cleveland works its way into a bullpen game. If Cecconi can keep it close through five, the game opens up.
• Road discipline. Great American Ball Park plays friendly to right-handed power. The Guardians need to avoid the crooked inning — one big swing by Suárez or De La Cruz in a tie game can end the night quickly.

Broadcast Information

Monday's game airs nationally on ESPN and the ESPN App. Radio coverage is available on WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7 in Cleveland, and on the Guardians Radio Network.

Prediction

Chase Burns is a legitimate obstacle, and Great American Ball Park is not a friendly venue. But the Guardians have the pitching depth and lineup versatility to steal a game on the road when they execute. This one figures to be tight. Expect a low-scoring affair that comes down to late-inning execution. Guardians 3, Reds 2.