Judge helps Yankees avoid sweep against Reds on July 4th

• When: Thursday, July 4th at 1:05 PM ET
• Who: Cincinnati Reds vs New York Yankees
• Starting Pitchers: Frankie Montas and Marcus Stroman
• Where: Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY

The Cincinnati Reds will wrap up a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Independence Day at Yankee Stadium.

Here's our Reds-Yankees prediction and details on how to watch.

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Game Preview

The Reds have struggled significantly this season, primarily due to injuries.

Matt McLain is sidelined with a shoulder injury and isn't expected back until August, while Christian Encarnacion-Strand is out for the season.

Despite these setbacks, some players are stepping up to keep the team competitive.

Although not the top hitter in the lineup, Jonathan India leads the team in walks with his patient approach at the plate.

Elly De La Cruz continues to impress, ranking sixth in the league in runs and third in triples.

De La Cruz's dynamic play can shift the momentum of a game, so expect him to try to get on base and create opportunities.

However, the Reds need contributions from Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer to bolster their offense. While De La Cruz is exceptional, he can't carry the team alone.

Frankie Montas has been reliable for the Reds, delivering two consecutive quality starts.

However, he faces a formidable challenge against one of the best lineups in baseball at a hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.

Montas must go deep into the game before handing it over to a bullpen that ranks seventh in team ERA.

For the Reds to win, India and De La Cruz must get on base, and the heart of the lineup must drive them in.

Additionally, Montas must avoid critical mistakes against some of the league's most dangerous hitters.

The New York Yankees remain one of the top teams in the American League, although they've recently slipped into the top wildcard spot.

Their hitting has been consistent and effective throughout the season.

Volpe Volt ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XaP0WaZQCT

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2024

Anthony Volpe has proven to be an ideal leadoff hitter, currently ranking sixth in the majors in runs and third in triples.

His ability to set the tone for the offense has been invaluable.

This, in turn, has made life easier for Juan Soto, who is second in the league in batting and runs, first in walks, fifth in home runs and slugging percentage, and third in RBIs.

Aaron Judge has also returned to elite form this season, leading the league in average, home runs, RBIs, doubles, and slugging percentage while ranking second in walks and third in runs.

Judge is the core of this powerful lineup.

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Total Runs

On the pitching side, Marcus Stroman has struggled recently, delivering just one quality start in his last five outings.

This is a concern, as he will hand the game over to a bullpen that has struggled lately.

The bullpen ranks 12th in baseball but has shown noticeable signs of trouble over the past month.

For the Yankees to win, they need to continue their strong hitting and drive in runners.

Additionally, the bullpen must avoid collapsing in the later innings.

Power of friendship.#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/62oi6YFbg7

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 4, 2024

Elly De La Cruz highlighted his star potential by leading the Reds to a victory over the Yankees at the start of the series.

However, the Yankees are poised to show their superiority in the Fourth of July game at Yankee Stadium.

Historically, Frankie Montas has had a tough time against the Yankees, with a 2-3 record and a 6.15 ERA in nine appearances.

Expect Judge and the Yankees to light up the scoreboard and secure a significant win on Independence Day.

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