CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Cleveland Guardians open a two-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at Great American Ball Park, with both teams seeking to gain ground in their respective divisions. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. with a forecast of 79 degrees and cloudy skies. The Guardians (54-53) are coming off a 1-0 loss Sunday at Tampa Bay, where they managed just four hits and were shut out for the second time in three games. Cleveland has lost four of its past five. The Reds (49-55) defeated St. Louis 5-3 in 10 innings on Sunday and have won five of their last seven. Cleveland lists right-hander Slade Cecconi (4-7) as its probable starter. The Guardians also have right-hander Chase Burns (12-1) available and listed among probables, offering a potential dual-threat out of the rotation or bullpen. The Reds counter with left-hander Andrew Abbott, who has posted a 2.57 ERA over his past three starts despite an 0-2 record in that span. The teams met May 15-17 in Cleveland, with the Guardians winning the series 2-1. The Reds took the opener 7-6 but dropped the next two 7-4 and 10-3. The Guardians have won three of the past four meetings. Players to watch for Cleveland include left-hander Parker Messick, who threw 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball Sunday against the Rays, striking out six. Over his past five starts, Messick has a 2.61 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 31 innings. For Cincinnati, Abbott has been effective despite recent losses, allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, including 6 scoreless innings July 20 at Seattle. Cincinnati has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is 8.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for Cleveland. The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday before the Guardians return home to host Arizona and the Reds welcome Pittsburgh for a four-game set.