Athletics @ Cincinnati Reds Game Details

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Time: 6:40 PM ET

Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: Reds.TV / NBC Sports California

Tickets: As low as $9

Betting Line: Cincinnati Reds -142

Over/Under: 9.5 Runs

Probable Pitchers: Jacob Lopez vs. Rhett Lowder

The Athletics enter Wednesday’s game with a 45-68 record, while Cincinnati stands at 54-58. Lopez is scheduled to start for the Athletics with a 5-4 record, 5.79 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Lowder counters for Cincinnati at 3-7 with a 5.42 ERA and 70 strikeouts.

Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction & Game Preview

The Athletics continue their three-game visit to Great American Ball Park with a Wednesday evening matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. The middle game of the series features left-hander Jacob Lopez for the Athletics against right-hander Rhett Lowder for Cincinnati.

Both pitchers enter with earned-run averages above 5.00, creating the possibility of an offense-driven game at one of Major League Baseball’s most dangerous venues for mistake pitches. Lopez has shown legitimate swing-and-miss ability, but his 1.67 WHIP demonstrates how frequently opposing offenses have created traffic against him. Lowder has also struggled with consistency, allowing 89 hits and 37 walks over 83 innings.

Cincinnati enters as a -142 favorite because of its home-field advantage and the potential matchup opportunities its lineup possesses against Lopez. The Reds can load their batting order with dangerous right-handed hitters while allowing switch-hitting shortstop Elly De La Cruz to bat from the right side.

De La Cruz remains the most explosive player in Cincinnati’s lineup. His combination of power, speed and aggressive baserunning gives the Reds several ways to generate offense. He was used as Cincinnati’s leadoff hitter in the series opener, placing him in position to receive as many plate appearances as possible.

The Athletics counter with an athletic lineup featuring Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom near the top of the order. Soderstrom provides the most appealing power matchup against Lowder, while Butler can change an inning through extra-base power or aggressive baserunning. All three were positioned near the top of the Athletics’ lineup in the opening game of the series.

Lopez’s season numbers are concerning, but his recent performances have been more encouraging. Over his past three outings, he has allowed only three earned runs across 14⅔ innings while recording 18 strikeouts. His most recent appearance featured eight strikeouts over 5⅓ innings against Boston.

Lowder is also coming off one of his better starts. The young right-hander limited Pittsburgh to two earned runs over six innings while striking out five and issuing no walks. He had previously held St. Louis to two runs over five innings, suggesting that he may be beginning to recover from a difficult stretch.

The challenge for both starters will be maintaining command through multiple trips around the batting order. Lopez has issued 42 walks in 70 innings, while Lowder has recorded a 1.52 WHIP. Those numbers suggest that both offenses should have opportunities with runners on base.

From a betting perspective, Cincinnati deserves to be favored because of its home-field advantage and greater offensive upside. However, the 9.5-run total may be the most appealing full-game option. Both pitchers have struggled to prevent baserunners, and one difficult bullpen inning could quickly push the combined score into double figures.

Top 4 Prop Bets

Prop Bet #1: Jacob Lopez Over 4.5 Strikeouts

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Lopez Over 4.5 Ks

• Recent Strikeout Surge
• Swing-and-Miss Ability
• Favorable Workload

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Jacob Lopez’s overall season has been inconsistent, but his recent strikeout production makes over 4.5 strikeouts an intriguing option.

The Athletics left-hander has recorded 61 strikeouts over 70 innings this season. More importantly, Lopez has produced 18 strikeouts over his last three appearances, reaching at least six strikeouts twice during that stretch.

Lopez struck out eight hitters over 5⅓ innings against Boston in his most recent start. He also recorded six strikeouts over 4⅓ innings against Washington and four over five innings against Minnesota.

Cincinnati possesses several dangerous hitters, but the lineup also includes aggressive bats that can be vulnerable when Lopez gets ahead in the count. His ability to change eye levels and finish hitters with two strikes gives him a realistic opportunity to reach five strikeouts.

The greatest concern is Lopez’s command. He has issued 42 walks and carries a 1.67 WHIP, meaning an elevated pitch count could force him from the game before he completes five innings.

However, Lopez does not necessarily need to pitch deep into the game to surpass this number. His recent strikeout pace indicates that five strikeouts could be attainable during the fourth or fifth inning.

As long as Lopez avoids multiple extended innings, over 4.5 strikeouts is a reasonable pitching prop.

Prop Bet #2: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: De La Cruz Over 1.5 TB

• Switch-Hitting Power
• Leadoff Opportunities
• Extra-Base Speed

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Elly De La Cruz remains the most dynamic player in Cincinnati’s lineup and the Reds hitter with the most paths to surpassing 1.5 total bases.

Because Lopez is a left-handed pitcher, De La Cruz will bat from the right side. That should give him a favorable look at pitches moving toward his power zone, especially when Lopez falls behind and must challenge him with a strike.

De La Cruz was placed in the leadoff position for the series opener, maximizing his opportunity to receive four or five plate appearances.

His speed makes the total-bases market particularly attractive. A line drive into either gap can quickly become a double or triple, while his power gives him the ability to clear the fence with one swing.

Lopez has allowed 75 hits in 70 innings and owns a 1.67 WHIP. Those numbers indicate that opposing hitters have consistently reached base against him throughout the season.

De La Cruz must remain patient because Lopez can still generate strikeouts when hitters expand the zone. Cincinnati’s shortstop should avoid chasing early breaking pitches and force Lopez to bring the ball over the plate.

One extra-base hit would cash the prop, while two singles would also be enough. De La Cruz’s likely plate-appearance volume, switch-hitting ability and elite athleticism make over 1.5 total bases one of the strongest options in the game.

Prop Bet #3: Tyler Soderstrom Over 1.5 Total Bases

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Soderstrom Over 1.5 TB

• Left-Handed Power
• Middle-Order Role
• Favorable Pitching Matchup

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Tyler Soderstrom provides the Athletics with a powerful left-handed bat near the top of their batting order.

Soderstrom hit third during the series opener, positioning him behind Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson. That placement should provide opportunities to bat with runners on base while also ensuring that he receives multiple plate appearances.

The matchup against Lowder is appealing because the Cincinnati starter has allowed 89 hits over 83 innings while producing a 5.42 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Opposing offenses have frequently created scoring opportunities against him.

Lowder will attempt to keep Soderstrom from extending his arms by working inside before expanding away with secondary pitches. If he leaves a pitch over the middle of the plate, Soderstrom has the strength to drive it into the seats or one of Great American Ball Park’s gaps.

A double would be enough to surpass this number. Soderstrom could also reach two total bases through a pair of singles, especially if the Athletics turn the lineup over several times.

Lowder has performed better in his last two starts, allowing four earned runs across 11 innings. However, his season-long inconsistency makes it difficult to assume that the improvement will continue against an Athletics lineup with several dangerous left-handed hitters.

Soderstrom’s power, lineup placement and platoon advantage make over 1.5 total bases the most attractive Athletics hitter prop.

Prop Bet #4: Game Total Over 9.5 Runs

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Over 9.5 Runs

• Elevated Starter ERAs
• Frequent Baserunners
• Hitter-Friendly Venue

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The over is appealing because both starting pitchers have struggled to prevent baserunners throughout the season.

Lopez enters with a 5.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. He has allowed 75 hits and 42 walks in only 70 innings, creating regular opportunities for opposing teams to score with runners in position.

Lowder carries a 5.42 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. The right-hander has surrendered 89 hits and 37 walks over 83 innings, meaning the Athletics should also have chances to build rallies.

Great American Ball Park adds to the offensive potential. Mistakes over the heart of the plate can quickly become extra-base hits, and both lineups possess enough power to turn walks into multi-run innings.

Lopez has pitched well over his last three appearances, while Lowder is coming off a quality six-inning performance against Pittsburgh. Those recent results create some risk for the over.

However, their full-season numbers remain difficult to overlook. Both pitchers have allowed more than one-and-a-half baserunners per inning, and neither bullpen can afford to inherit a large amount of traffic during the middle innings.

A final score of 6-4, 6-5 or 7-4 would move the game beyond the posted total. With Cincinnati’s right-handed hitters facing Lopez and the Athletics’ left-handed power bats facing Lowder, both teams should have favorable opportunities.

The total is high, but the matchup has enough offensive ingredients to produce at least 10 combined runs.

Pitching Matchup: High-Variance Lefty vs. Developing Right-Hander

Jacob Lopez

LHP, Athletics

Lopez enters Wednesday’s game with a 5-4 record, 5.79 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 61 strikeouts across 70 innings. He has appeared in 17 games, including 14 starts.

His season has been defined by inconsistency. Lopez can generate strikeouts at a strong rate, but walks and extended innings have prevented him from consistently working deep into games.

The left-hander’s strikeout ability remains his greatest strength. He recorded 113 strikeouts across 92⅔ innings in 2025 and followed that performance with 61 strikeouts through his first 70 innings of 2026.

Lopez has also shown improvement recently. He recorded eight strikeouts against Boston, four against Minnesota and six against Washington in his previous three appearances.

Command will determine his success in Cincinnati. Lopez cannot afford to issue walks ahead of De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Tyler Stephenson or Eugenio Suárez. Cincinnati used those four hitters in the first five spots of its lineup during the series opener.

If Lopez throws first-pitch strikes and forces Cincinnati to chase with two strikes, he could produce another competitive outing. If his command disappears, the Reds have enough power to create a difficult inning quickly.

Rhett Lowder

RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Lowder enters the matchup with a 3-7 record, 5.42 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 70 strikeouts across 83 innings. He has made 16 starts among his 19 appearances.

The 24-year-old was selected seventh overall by Cincinnati in the 2023 MLB Draft after an outstanding career at Wake Forest. His combination of command, movement and competitiveness allowed him to reach the Major Leagues in 2024.

Lowder’s 2026 season has included several difficult stretches, but his most recent start offered encouragement. He held Pittsburgh to two earned runs over six innings, allowing five hits while recording five strikeouts without issuing a walk.

He also allowed only two runs and one hit over five innings against St. Louis in his previous appearance. Those outings followed a difficult start at Colorado in which he surrendered eight runs and 11 hits over 2⅓ innings.

Lowder must attack the Athletics’ lineup without becoming predictable. Butler and Soderstrom can damage mistakes, while Wilson possesses the bat-to-ball ability to extend innings.

The key will be limiting walks. Lowder has issued 37 free passes this season, and putting runners on base ahead of the middle of the Athletics’ order could create immediate trouble.

If Lowder repeats the command he displayed against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati should have an opportunity to control the game. If he falls behind hitters, the contest could quickly develop into a high-scoring bullpen battle.

Keys to the Game

Cincinnati Must Pressure Lopez Early

The Reds should force Lopez to throw strikes from the opening inning. His 42 walks and 1.67 WHIP demonstrate that command has been his greatest problem this season.

Cincinnati’s right-handed hitters must remain patient against pitches moving away from them. If Lopez falls behind, the Reds can attack fastballs in favorable counts.

An early increase in Lopez’s pitch count could also force the Athletics to use their bullpen before the middle innings are complete.

Lowder Must Limit the Left-Handed Power

Butler and Soderstrom create the greatest matchup concerns for Lowder. Both hitters can pull mistakes with authority, and Great American Ball Park can reward elevated pitches.

Lowder must establish the inside portion of the plate without allowing the ball to drift over the middle. Keeping those hitters from extending their arms will be critical.

Elly De La Cruz Must Set the Tempo

De La Cruz’s position at the top of the lineup gives him an opportunity to immediately pressure Lopez.

Reaching base would allow De La Cruz to use his speed, disrupt Lopez’s rhythm and create RBI opportunities for the hitters behind him.

The Reds become significantly more dangerous when De La Cruz is creating movement on the bases.

Bullpen Execution Will Be Critical

Neither starter has consistently worked deep into games. Lopez has completed five innings or fewer in many of his appearances, while Lowder has made three relief appearances in addition to his 16 starts.

Both managers may need to cover at least four innings with their bullpens. The team that avoids walks and prevents inherited runners from scoring will have a significant advantage.

The Verdict

Prediction: Cincinnati Reds 6, Athletics 4

Moneyline Pick: Cincinnati Reds -142

Best Total Bet: Over 9.5 Runs

Best Prop Bet: Elly De La Cruz Over 1.5 Total Bases

Cincinnati’s home-field advantage and favorable opportunities against a left-handed starter give the Reds the edge Wednesday evening.

Lopez has pitched better recently and should generate several strikeouts, but his season-long problems with walks and baserunners create a difficult matchup against Cincinnati. The Reds have enough right-handed power to capitalize if Lopez struggles to locate early.

Lowder has also shown improvement over his last two starts. However, the Athletics possess several dangerous left-handed hitters capable of exploiting mistakes, particularly Butler and Soderstrom.

Expect both teams to create scoring opportunities throughout the game. Cincinnati should receive strong production from the top and middle of its batting order, while the Athletics generate enough offense to keep the game competitive into the late innings.

The Reds ultimately win behind De La Cruz and their home-field advantage, but both offenses contribute enough production to push the combined score beyond 9.5 runs.