Players To Watch
4 min read

Reds' Will Benson Poised for Breakout Performance Against Guardians at Great American Ball Park

First Inning


As the Reds prepare to host the Guardians at the Great American Ball Park, all eyes will be on Will Benson, the Reds' outfielder who has been a standout performer in recent games. Benson's performance in the last three games has been nothing short of impressive. In the game against the White Sox on May 14, he achieved a batting average of .333 with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .5 and an OPS of 1.167. His slugging percentage was a remarkable .667, showcasing his ability to make impactful hits.


Jun 12, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (3) bats against the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Benson's fielding has also been impeccable, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage (FPCT) of 1.0 across these games. His consistency both at bat and in the field makes him a crucial player for the Reds as they face off against their rivals from Cleveland.


Second Inning


Another key player for the Reds is Spencer Steer, who has shown versatility and strength in his performances. Steer's batting average was .500 with an OPS of 2.0 during one of his recent outings against the White Sox on May 14. His slugging percentage stood at an impressive 1.5, indicating his power-hitting capabilities.


Jun 12, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) steals second against Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) in the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Steer's fielding performance has also been noteworthy with a perfect FPCT of 1.0, making him a reliable asset in defense as well as offense for the Big Red Machine.


Third Inning


On the mound, Nick Lodolo has been leading the charge for Cincinnati's pitching staff. Despite facing challenges with an ERA of 5.063 and WHIP of 1.6875 in his recent game against Chicago on May 14, Lodolo managed to maintain composure with a K/9 rate of 6.75.


Jun 12, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) at bat against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

His ability to strike out opponents will be crucial against a formidable Guardians lineup that includes José Ramírez, who boasts an OPS of 1.833 and hit a home run in his last game against Milwaukee on May 14.


Fourth Inning


For the Guardians, José Ramírez remains their star performer with consistent offensive outputs across games. He achieved a batting average of .333 along with an OPS of 1.833 during his latest appearance against Milwaukee on May 14.


Kyle Manzardo is another Guardian to watch out for; he hit .333 with one home run and one RBI in their last matchup versus Milwaukee on May 14, demonstrating his potential to change game dynamics swiftly.


Fifth Inning


The Tribe's pitching roster features Gavin Williams who recorded an ERA of just 3.6 and WHIP of 1.0 while striking out batters at a rate of nearly eleven per nine innings during his recent outing against Milwaukee on May 14.


This matchup promises intense competition between two talented teams looking to capitalize on each other's weaknesses while showcasing individual brilliance from players like Will Benson and José Ramírez.


Fans can catch this thrilling encounter live at Great American Ball Park or tune into CLEG network when these two teams clash on May 16th at precisely six forty PM Eastern Time (ET). Don't miss your chance to witness top-tier baseball action! Share this article if you're excited about what lies ahead!

Rate the article

Related stories

Reds' Will Benson and Guardians Set for Exciting Clash at Great American Ball Park
Players To Watch

Reds' Will Benson and Guardians Set for Exciting Clash at Great American Ball Park

3 min read
Reds' Graham Ashcraft and White Sox's Andrew Vaughn Set for a Showdown at Great American Ball Park
Players To Watch

Reds' Graham Ashcraft and White Sox's Andrew Vaughn Set for a Showdown at Great American Ball Park

4 min read
Reds' TJ Friedl Poised to Shine Against White Sox at Great American Ball Park
Players To Watch

Reds' TJ Friedl Poised to Shine Against White Sox at Great American Ball Park

4 min read
Reds vs. White Sox: Can TJ Friedl Propel Cincinnati to Victory at Great American Ball Park?
Players To Watch

Reds vs. White Sox: Can TJ Friedl Propel Cincinnati to Victory at Great American Ball Park?

3 min read