Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacFRI, AUG 21, 2026

Sportsinator

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MLBFri, Aug 21, 9:40 PM21 Aug, 2026

Cincinnati RedsvsArizona Diamondbacks

MLB.TVChase FieldFriday, August 21 at 9:40 PM EDT
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The preview

The Cincinnati Reds head into Chase Field to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in a getaway day matchup with playoff implications on both sides, Arizona sitting at 67-61 and clinging to the fringes of the wild card while Cincinnati at 61-67 is fighting to stay in the mix. Vegas has the Diamondbacks favored at -141 with the total set at 8.5, so books expect a bit of offense with the heart of both orders doing damage.

Keep an eye on whoever's starter can avoid a bloated WHIP early, because if this bullpen-heavy stretch continues, expect a manager to go to the pen too early and regret it. Bold prediction: Arizona's bats get into a Reds reliever's stuff late and this one ends on a walk-off homer that leaves the yard in the eighth or ninth.