The interleague series between the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, April 25, 2026, features a fascinating clash between two right-handed starters at different stages of their season arcs. As the 14-12 Tigers look to maintain their winning record on the road, the 16-9 Reds aim to capitalize on their strong home form in what is expected to be a competitive, high-scoring affair.
The Pitching Breakdown
Jack Flaherty (DET): Jack Flaherty has been the definition of a “smoke and mirrors” starter for Detroit this spring. He carries a respectable 3.47 ERA through five starts, but a closer look at his 1.59 WHIP reveals a pitcher consistently living in high-stress environments. Flaherty has struggled significantly with his command, issuing 20 walks across just 23.1 innings of work. While his 24 strikeouts show his “stuff” remains potent, his fly-ball rate of 61.4% is a massive red flag entering Great American Ball Park—one of the most home-run-prone venues in the league. If Flaherty cannot find the strike zone early, a disciplined Reds lineup is positioned to drive up his pitch count and exploit his tendency to leave runners on base.
Brady Singer (CIN): Brady Singer, recently acquired by the Reds, is still searching for consistency in his new home. He enters Saturday with a 1-1 record and a bloated 5.32 ERA. Much like Flaherty, Singer has dealt with heavy traffic, evidenced by a 1.65 WHIP and 32 hits allowed in 23.2 innings. However, Singer’s profile is the polar opposite of his counterpart; he is a heavy sinker-baller who thrives on inducing ground balls. While he is coming off a “quality start” against Minnesota where he allowed three runs over six innings, his low strikeout ceiling (only 16 Ks this season) means he relies heavily on his defense to bail him out. Against a Tigers team that ranks near the top of the league in drawing walks against righties, Singer’s margin for error will be razor-thin.
Best Bets for April 25
1. Detroit Tigers Moneyline (-140) Despite Flaherty’s command issues, the Tigers have been the more reliable team when backed by their bullpen. Detroit has won 10 of their last 13 games and enters this matchup with a superior relief corps. The Tigers’ hitters have also shown incredible discipline, leading the MLB in walk rate against right-handed pitching. Expect Detroit to capitalize on Singer’s lack of swing-and-miss ability and grind out a road victory.
2. Over 8.5 Total Runs (-110) This is the most confident play of the slate. Both starters have WHIPs over 1.50, meaning baserunners will be plentiful. When you combine Flaherty’s extreme fly-ball profile with Singer’s tendency to allow hits in bunches, the environment is ripe for an offensive explosion. Given that both teams have shown a recent trend of hitting their team total “Overs,” a 6-4 or 7-5 final score is well within reach.
3. Jack Flaherty Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-130) While Flaherty is struggling to prevent runs, he still possesses elite strikeout stuff. He is averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings and faces a Cincinnati order that, while dangerous, can be prone to the swing-and-miss against high-velocity righties. Even if he only lasts five innings due to walks, his raw stuff is enough to clear this modest total.
The Sharp Edge: Keep an eye on Sal Stewart for the Reds. He has been on a tear, hitting his “Hits + Runs + RBIs” over in 18 of his last 25 games. In a high-traffic game, he is the most likely candidate to drive the Cincinnati offense.
Baseball Best Bets 