This doesn't always have to be a complicated exercise, as sometimes the best angles are staring us right in the face. Not many arguments can be more compelling than simply going against the Tigers when Reese Olson is on the mound, as Detroit has lost in 13 of Olson's last 15 starts. And while he has had bad luck at times this season, he didn't help himself in June when posting a 5.73 ERA across six starts, all part of the Tigers' current 8-18 skid since early June. Meanwhile, the Reds didn't need to take a plane back from LaGuardia after sweeping the Yankees, and Carson Spiers has a 2.70 ERA since mid-May.

The Cincinnati Reds have a record of 19-9 in the first game of a series, while Detroit's record is 12-16. The Tigers are on a long road trip, and Reese Olson will be their starting pitcher. Olson has never pitched at Great American Ballpark and has allowed a .955 OPS against the Reds' lineup, albeit in a small sample size. His hard-hit rate is 45.8%, whereas Carson Spiers, who has a 35% hard-hit rate, will pitch for the Reds. The Tigers have never faced Spiers. Olson threw a season-high 295 pitches in his last three-game stretch. Based on these factors, the Reds have the advantage in this matchup.