Cincinnati's Best Start in 20 Years Meets Detroit's Hot Streak: This Weekend Changes Everything

The Cincinnati Reds are rolling. Off to their best 25-game start in two decades at 16-8, they're heading into Friday night's interleague series opener against the Detroit Tigers looking like a team that actually belongs in meaningful games. The Reds just swept three games against Minnesota and took two of three from Tampa Bay, averaging 5.5 runs per game on the road. That's legitimately impressive for a club that ranks just 24th in the majors in scoring with 97 total runs.

Cincinnati's Lineup Is Finally Clicking

Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart are carrying the load offensively, tied for second in the National League with eight home runs apiece. But here's the thing: the Reds aren't just riding two guys. Offseason trade acquisition Dane Myers is heating up at exactly the right time. In Tuesday's 12-6 win over the Rays, Myers homered, walked three times, and scored four runs. The guy is genuinely locked in.

"It feels good," Myers said after the victory. "Like I said in the spring, I think this team has what it takes to play meaningful ballgames deep into the season. If we stay the course, I think that will happen."

Andrew Abbott takes the mound Friday for Cincinnati, and honestly, he needs this one bad. The former All-Star is struggling early with a 7.71 ERA through four April starts after posting a 5.84 mark overall. In his last outing against Minnesota on Saturday, Abbott gave up four runs across 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision (the Reds still won 5-4). This is his 81st career start and his first matchup against Detroit.

Detroit's Got Momentum and Fresh Thunder

Don't sleep on the Tigers, though. They've won 10 of their last 13 games, including Thursday's 5-4 walk-off victory powered by Spencer Torkelson's go-ahead home run.

"That's what it's all about," Torkelson said. "You've just got to be ready for the moment."

Torkelson is suddenly dangerous. After hitting 31 homers in 2025, he's launched two home runs in the past two days. Detroit was tied for 13th in the AL with just 19 homers before slugging three on Thursday alone. Something is clicking.

Framber Valdez, Detroit's $115 million man from that three-year deal signed in February, gets the start Friday. The 32-year-old left-hander is 2-1 with a 3.30 ERA and has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his first five starts. Last Sunday against Boston, he surrendered just one run on three hits across six innings in a 6-2 win. This is his first career matchup against Cincinnati.

Two teams firing on all cylinders collide Friday night. Cincinnati has the early-season narrative. Detroit has the momentum and the fresh power surge. This is baseball the way it should be played in late April.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.