Game Overview
The Philadelphia Phillies (69–49) travel to Great American Ball Park to face the Cincinnati Reds (62–56) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM ET, with local coverage on both NBC Sports Philadelphia and Bally Sports Ohio. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning — Philly is pushing for the top Wild Card spot while Cincinnati is right in the thick of the NL Central race. For more breakdowns like this, visit our MLB previews and predictions page.
Team Analysis
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been one of the NL’s most complete clubs in 2025, boasting a balanced attack of power bats, patient on-base skills, and strong pitching. Cristopher Sánchez has quietly been one of their most reliable arms, mixing a heavy sinker with a devastating changeup. Philadelphia’s road offense has been steady, and Bryce Harper continues to anchor the lineup with elite production.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ young core has made them one of the most exciting teams in the league. Hunter Greene headlines the staff with an electric fastball that routinely hits triple digits, but his challenge has been limiting hard contact when ahead in the count. Cincinnati plays their best baseball at home, where their aggressive offense thrives in the hitter-friendly environment.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record / ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phillies | Cristopher Sánchez (LHP) | 9–5, 3.24 ERA | Ground-ball specialist with a wipeout changeup; excels at keeping the ball in the park despite hitter-friendly settings. |
| Reds | Hunter Greene (RHP) | 8–6, 4.15 ERA | Power arm with elite strikeout numbers; success hinges on fastball command and minimizing damage with runners on. |
Assessment: Sánchez’s consistency gives Philly a stability edge, but Greene’s ceiling is higher if his command is locked in.
Head-to-Head & Storylines
Philadelphia took two of three from Cincinnati earlier this season, with pitching being the deciding factor. Greene will be looking for redemption after a rough outing against the Phillies in April. The Reds’ offense, led by Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer, will test Sánchez’s ability to work out of jams.
Key Players to Watch
- Phillies: Bryce Harper — driving force in the middle of the order, especially against right-handed pitching.
- Reds: Elly De La Cruz — game-changing speed and power, capable of sparking multi-run innings.
Recent Form & Critical Factors
Philadelphia is 7–3 in their last 10 games, outscoring opponents by 24 runs in that stretch. Cincinnati is 6–4 over their last 10, winning close games with timely hitting. Great American Ball Park’s home run factor looms large, so bullpen management will be crucial late. You can find more game-by-game breakdowns on our MLB game previews hub.
Best Bets & Prediction
- Over 8.5 Runs — Both pitchers are solid, but the ballpark can turn fly balls into homers quickly.
- Phillies Moneyline (-145) — Slight edge to Sánchez’s steadiness and Philly’s deeper lineup.
- Hunter Greene Over 7.5 Strikeouts — Even in tough matchups, his swing-and-miss stuff plays.
Final Score Prediction: Phillies 6 – Reds 4. Philly’s offense grinds out at-bats, taking advantage of Greene’s occasional control lapses to pull away late.
