Sunday’s loaded MLB slate kicks off in the Bronx, where the New York Yankees will host the Cincinnati Reds for an interleague rubber match at Yankee Stadium. 

The Yankees (46–29, 1st AL East) took Friday’s series opener, 5–0, before the Reds (36–39, 5th NL Central) retaliated with a 10–2 thumping on Saturday.

Looking at the pitching probables, we’ve got flame-throwing Cincinnati right-hander Chase Burns (8–1, 2.01 ERA) squaring off with returning Yankees righty Elmer Rodriguez (0–1, 4.15 ERA). 

First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. ET. The Yankees enter as 1.5-run home favorites with -126 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Reds are +104 underdogs, with the game total set at O/U 8.5 runs.

Reds vs. Yankees Preview

Cincinnati Reds

Save for a beatdown of both New York clubs this week, the Reds have shown that they’re in dire straits without Elly De La Cruz. Cincinnati has gone just 6–11 since its star shortstop landed on the injured list with a hamstring injury on May 31, just ahead of Boston for the worst mark in MLB.

In that span, the Reds’ lineup has gone from unlucky to unacceptable, ranking 28th in wRC+ and 25th in wOBA since the calendar flipped to June. They’re hoping that Saturday’s six-RBI performance from rookie sensation Sal Stewart — who has also struggled of late — can be the catalyst that the offense desperately needs. 

Cincinnati has a strong chance to build on that momentum on Sunday, set to deploy right-handed fireballer Chase Burns. The 23-year-old hurler ranks fourth in MLB with a 2.01 ERA (2.90 xERA), while also posting a 1.02 WHIP and 95 strikeouts across 14 starts (80.2 IP) in 2026. Burns is coming off five shutout innings with seven strikeouts against the crosstown rival Mets, though he’s not typically economical with his pitch count. And that dreadful bullpen — which ranks 28th in ERA (4.91) and dead-last in xERA (5.27) this season — is one that opponents look forward to like Christmas morning.

New York Yankees

This year’s Yankees squad features the best supporting cast Aaron Judge has had in a long time, as evidenced by their strong performance in his absence. New York has gone an American League-best 10–6 since the perennial MVP went down with a fractured rib on May 31.

Even without Judge, the Yankees’ offense has remained dangerous, stamped with a top-ten wRC+. Former MVPs Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt have turned back the clock, while an ascendant Ben Rice has emerged as one of the top sluggers in the sport.  

While the pitching staff has largely been outstanding — even the oft-polarizing bullpen — New York is taking a gamble on Sunday by recalling No. 2 prospect Elmer Rodriguez to start the series finale. The lanky right-hander struggled in his first taste of big-league action earlier this season, posting a 4.15 ERA (6.20 xERA) across three starts (13 IP), not generating enough strikeouts while doling out too many free passes.

Reds vs. Yankees Pick, Best Bet

Few teams make pitchers work harder than the Yankees, who, even without Judge, are the most formidable offense in the American League. They should be able to run up Burns’ pitch count and capitalize against Cincinnati’s weak bullpen. Meanwhile, even a slumping Reds offense stands a chance against Rodriguez, who was rather erratic during his initial stint in the majors. 

If the ice-cold Reds can put up 10 runs on their own, both clubs should unite to clear the 8.5-run threshold in Sunday’s series finale.

Best Bet: Over 8.5 Runs (-103)