Orioles vs Reds Preview: Friday Lights, Independence Day Battle

The Baltimore Orioles roll into Cincinnati looking to keep their winning streak alive. Trevor Rogers is your Baltimore starter—this guy is the ace of the Orioles' rotation and carries big expectations. The Orioles are sitting at 40-48, fighting to get back into playoff contention after a rough season last year. Their pitching staff will make or break their chances down the stretch. Rogers needs to dominate against a Reds team that's also struggling at 40-46. Cincinnati hasn't found its groove yet, but Friday's game at Great American Ball Park could shift momentum for either squad. Both teams won their last game, so both come in hot. This matchup is huge for both rosters.

Brady Singer is on the mound for the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Singer is a hard-throwing right-hander who used to pitch for the Kansas City Royals. This season, Singer has a 1-2 record with a 3.59 ERA. He's struck out 34 batters so far. The Reds are counting on Singer to be a reliable starter while Hunter Greene recovers from elbow surgery. Greene will make his season debut on Saturday, so Singer gets the nod tonight. Cincinnati's pitching staff has major questions heading into July. Getting solid outings from Singer is critical if the Reds want to stay competitive. Both teams sit near .500, so this game matters big time.

Both Baltimore and Cincinnati come into this game with momentum. Each team won their last game and sits at around .500. The Orioles are 40-48 overall. The Reds are 40-46. Neither team has dominated lately, but both know that every win matters in July. The Reds' home crowd at Great American Ball Park will bring energy and noise. Baltimore's pitching staff needs to prove it can compete with playoff contenders. Cincinnati's bats need to stay hot against Trevor Rogers. This is a classic matchup between two teams trying to climb back into the race. Whoever plays cleaner baseball and executes better will walk away victorious.