The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Cleveland Guardians to win the 2025 Ohio Cup for the first time since 2014. See how TJ Friedl & Terry Francona led the charge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's official! For the first time in a decade, the Ohio Cup belongs to Cincinnati. With their recent victory over the Cleveland Guardians, the Reds have secured state bragging rights, a feat they haven't accomplished since 2014. As if to celebrate, the team is already handling business in today's game, currently leading the Guardians 4-0 in the 3rd inning as they look to build on their newfound momentum.
'We have been playing really good baseball here for a little bit and we're just going to continue to build off that. We know what we have in this clubhouse.' - TJ Friedl
A decade-long wait is finally over. The Reds have officially clinched the Ohio Cup, a satisfying victory for the team and a fanbase that has eagerly awaited this moment. The series win carries extra significance with manager Terry Francona at the helm, who famously won several Cups for the other side during his tenure in Cleveland. Ever the pragmatist, Francona is focused on what's next, stating, 'Now we'll try to play good tomorrow. Because if you do that enough, then I think momentum does happen.' That momentum is palpable as the Reds look to assert their dominance in the Buckeye State.
The recent success is being fueled by an offense that has truly come alive. As outfielder TJ Friedl noted, the team is playing 'a complete game of baseball,' scoring consistently and putting pressure on opponents. Leading the charge is first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who has been absolutely scorching hot. Coming off a series against the Diamondbacks where he went 5-for-10 with two homers and five RBI, CES is proving to be a critical force in the middle of the lineup. His continued production will be key as the Reds push through this crucial stretch of the season.
While the Ohio Cup is a significant achievement, the bigger picture remains the NL Central race. After hovering around .500, this recent string of victories has pushed the fourth-place Reds to just 6.5 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. The gap is closing. In today's game, Andrew Abbott (5-1, 2.18 ERA) took the mound, looking to continue his stellar season and keep the pressure on Cleveland. Every win chips away at that deficit and builds the belief that this team can make a serious run for the division.
The Ohio Cup is back in Cincinnati, a fantastic milestone for a team that's firing on all cylinders. But the work is far from over. With the offense clicking and momentum on their side, the Reds have a real chance to make a move in the NL Central. All eyes are on finishing this series against Cleveland strong and continuing to close that 6.5-game gap on the Cubs. The rest of June is shaping up to be a thrilling ride.
