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We've got a full-day slate Wednesday and I'll hone in on an evening inter-league matchup that features one of the brightest young pitching prospects in baseball against a veteran righty who once held that title.
Cleveland Guardians 
at Cincinnati Reds 
Best Bets
The Reds haven't been as prolific lately as earlier in the summer, but Cincinnati still boasts a lineup top to bottom that can threaten any pitcher. When the opposing starter is Noah Syndergaard, who appears to be a shadow of his once-dominant self, that holds even truer.
Cincinnati heads into Wednesday's home matchup with a relatively modest .322 wOBA against righties thus far in August, along with a bloated 30.2 percent strikeout rate in that split. However, Syndergaard is far from capable of taking advantage of the latter weakness at this point, as his 5.7 K/9 is the lowest of his career and a thoroughly middling number.
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On the other side, young southpaw Andrew Abbott draws about as good a matchup on paper as he could ask for. The rookie faces a Guardians team that's been the most punchless in baseball against lefties since the All-Star break, posting a .213 average, .573 OPS, 0.95 ISO and .250 wOBA in that split. All those figures are MLB-worst numbers during that span.
Abbott's 2-2 home mark isn't as shiny as his 5-1 road record, but he's actually been less hittable at Great American Ballpark. Abbott has a 2.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP there, compared to figures of 3.16 and 1.32 in those categories on the road.
Finally, consider Cincy has one of the best first 5 innings home moneyline records in baseball, posting a 28-19-13 mark in that split. Cincinnati is also averaging 3.11 runs per first 5 innings per home game, while Cleveland's 2.2 average overall in that split is the second lowest in the majors.
Game Focus Best Bet:
- Reds -0.5- 1st 5 Innings (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Given the numbers already cited for Abbott at home and the Guardians' general ineptitude versus left-handed pitching, I like the chances of the young southpaw having one of his better outings.
Abbott has allowed two earned runs or less in nine of his first 13 big-league starts, including five shutouts. Cleveland's -19.8 wRAA against lefties since the All-Star break is the worst figure in baseball in that category by far, as well.
Game Focus Best Bet:
- Andrew Abbott Under 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (-139 on Caesars Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
The switch-hitting Elly De La Cruz enters Wednesday with an .813 OPS and 30 total bases over his last 14 games, a testament to how good the rookie phenom continues to be as he gets more reps against big-league arms.
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De La Cruz has already hit a triple and a homer in two plate appearances against Syndergaard, and the fading veteran right-hander also checks in allowing a .333 average and .398 wOBA to left-handed hitters on the road this season. That sample includes seven extra-base hits.
In turn, De La Cruz has been at his best hitting from the left side, posting a .270 average, .351 wOBA and .241 ISO in that split while lacing 20 extra-base hits. Cleveland relievers have also pitched to a 6.27 ERA, .291 BAA and .370 wOBA against left-handed hitters in the second half, furthering De La Cruz's prospects against any right-handed relievers he might encounter.
Game Focus Best Bet:
- Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100 on Bet 365 Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
MLB Game Focus Best Bets for Guardians at Reds:
Here's a recap of my Game Focus Best Bets for Wednesday:
- Reds -0.5- 1st 5 Innings (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
- Andrew Abbott Under 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (-139 on Caesars Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
- Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100 on Bet 365 Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
