Toss Boss Take: Reds vs. Angels — Preview, Prediction, and an Apple TV Scavenger Hunt

The Cincinnati Reds (8–5) welcome the Los Angeles Angels (6–7) to Great American Ball Park tonight at 6:45 PM, and it’s on Apple TV—so first pitch is actually at 6:45, but finding the game on Apple TV+ is scheduled for whenever the app feels like it.

Odds say Reds -190, Angels +157, total at 9. Translation: Vegas thinks the Reds are bringing the good snacks and the Angels are bringing “a vibe” and maybe a couple solo homers.

Quick temperature check

The Reds are rolling in like they just discovered winning is, in fact, allowed. Meanwhile the Angels have power—15 homers already—which is great, because nothing says “complete offense” like scoring exclusively via three-run homers… that you never actually hit because nobody’s on base.

Cincy’s not mashing the cover off the ball (.208 average), but they’re getting on base (.290 OBP) and pitching it (3.36 ERA). That’s the baseball version of: “I don’t need to be loud, I just need to be right.”

The Angels are hitting .201 as a team, which is basically a group project where two guys do all the work and everyone else writes their name on it at the end.

Pitching matchup: Chase Burns vs. Jack Kochanowicz

Reds: Chase Burns (1–0, 0.82 ERA, 16 K, 0.91 WHIP)Burns has been pitching like he’s mad at the strike zone and the strike zone started it. 0.82 ERA is the kind of number you see when a guy is either dominant… or playing MLB The Show on rookie. And buddy, this looks real.

Angels: Jack Kochanowicz (1–0, 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP)Kochanowicz has been letting runners on like Great American Ball Park is hosting a charity 5K. That WHIP is screaming, “I’m one bloop and a blast away from needing a long walk and a shorter conversation with the pitching coach.”

And here’s the problem: this park turns “minor mistake” into “fan catches ball with nacho cheese on his hands.”

Who’s hot (and who’s about to be)

Reds:

• Sal Stewart is on a heater: .364/.473/.727 with 4 homers and 9 RBI. That slash line is so loud it needs a permit.

• Elly De La Cruz is 12-for-52 this season, and even when he’s “quiet,” he’s still one stolen base away from turning the game into a track meet.

Angels:

• Zach Neto has 4 homers. If Burns leaves one up, Neto will send it into orbit and then Apple TV will show it from 11 different angles like it’s the Zapruder film.

• Jo Adell is hitting .320, which is impressive considering the Angels’ team batting average is basically “a suggestion.”

The Toss Boss keys to the game

If you’re the Reds:Work counts, take your walks, and make Kochanowicz live in the zone. Because if he’s handing out baserunners, Great American will happily turn those into runs like it’s printing money.

If you’re the Angels:You need traffic. Not “one guy homers and nobody else touches second base” traffic. Real traffic. Because Burns right now looks like the type who turns a lineup into a three-true-outcomes museum exhibit: strikeout, pop-up, sad jog back to the dugout.

Injury report, aka “Who’s in the shop?”

Both teams have enough names on the IL to start a separate roster. The Reds are still navigating some pitching bumps (including Lodolo), and the Angels’ list reads like a CVS receipt. If you’re healthy in April, congratulations—you’re basically an ironman.

Toss Boss Prediction (with extra sauce)

I’m riding with the home team and the flamethrower.

Reds 6, Angels 3.Burns goes 6 innings, 2 runs, 9 Ks, and Sal Stewart stays hotter than a seatbelt buckle in July with a homer or a gap-shot that makes outfielders question their life choices.

And if the Angels win? I’ll tip my cap. Right after I finish locating the broadcast and recovering from Apple TV telling me the “win probability” changed because someone blinked.