Reds go for sweep of Rays with Brandon Williamson on the mound

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Reds aim for a series sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays with Brandon Williamson starting on the mound. Williamson has shown improvement in his recent outings after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Key points

Cincinnati Reds aim for a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays
Brandon Williamson is starting for the Reds
Williamson has improved after Tommy John surgery
First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET
Nick Martinez is starting for the Rays

Cincinnati RedsTampa Bay Rays

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 21: Elly de la Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 21, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was surely an emotional return to Minnesota for Brandon Williamson his last time out. The Fairmont, MN native had hundreds of friends and family in attendance at Target Field as his Cincinnati Reds came to town, a game (and series) in which the Reds began to consolidate the momentum they’ve carried down to Tampa. The Reds swept the Twins. The Reds are on the verge of sweeping the Rays, if Williamson can help hold down the fort in Wednesday’s series finale. Cincinnati’s lefty fired 5.1 IP of 1 ER ball in that last start, and he’s allowed just 4 ER in 16.0 IP across his most recent trio of outings. That, though, came after he was shelled for 6 ER in 4.2 IP against the in his season opener on March 31st – the first time he’d pitched in a game in a year and a half after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It’s not been an immediate return to form for him, as he’s walked more batters so far this season (13) than he has strikeouts (12). Still, his velocity has ticked up to form despite the frigid weather he’s pitched in a couple times already, and after watching his start against Minnesota (in which he walked 4 against just 2 K) you could see he was executing pitches well while just barely missing his spots outside the top and bottom of the zone. In other words, I think he’s getting closer and closer to refining his craft to the point of being really effective. The hope is that it continues today as the Reds wrap up their series against the Rays. Standing in their way today is old friend , who joined the Rays in free agency over the winter. Interestingly, is not in the lineup to start today despite having caught Martinez 23 times in 2025 and 31 in 2024, as PJ Higgins – who has never caught Martinez in a big league game – will instead start this day game after last night’s game. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up for this one:

Q&A

What time is the Reds vs. Rays game on April 21, 2026?

The game is scheduled to start at 1:10 PM ET.

How has Brandon Williamson performed recently for the Reds?

Williamson has allowed just 4 earned runs in his last 16 innings, showing signs of improvement after a tough season opener.

Who is starting for the Rays against the Reds in the series finale?

Nick Martinez is starting for the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.