A potential trade target as the MLB trade deadline approaches will take the mound for his current team when the Cincinnati Reds host the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night in the rubber game of a three-game series.

Reds right-hander Brady Singer (5-9, 4.53 ERA) is rapidly emerging as one of the most coveted rental starting pitchers on the market with the trade deadline coming on Monday.

Playing on an expiring one-year, $12.75 million contract with Cincinnati, the 29-year-old has reshaped his trade value over the past two months.

After a disappointing opening to the 2026 season, Singer has found his groove, stringing together dominant, deep outings. His dramatic turnaround is anchored by a stellar summer stretch, highlighted by a 3.08 ERA in June, followed by a 2.77 mark in July. It was 7.77 in May.

He has showcased his trademark durability, working at least seven innings in three of his past six starts, winning his past two. Against Colorado on July 17, Singer retired the first 12 batters he faced on his way to allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings and earning the 7-2 win.

Five days later in Seattle, he yielded three runs over 6 2/3 innings in Cincinnati's 5-3 victory. In those two starts, Singer struck out 12 and walked just one.

"I think he's finding his level," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said. "Like we say with hitters all the time, it happens with everybody."

"I just like how he's a bulldog out there," said Cincinnati utility man Spencer Steer, now on the injured list with a wrist injury. "He's competing his butt off."

With the Reds sitting below .500 (50-56) and positioned as sellers, Singer has become a prime trade chip.

"I'm not considering the trade deadline," Singer said. "Instead, I'm concentrating on giving the team an opportunity to win and pitching deep into games."

Cleveland will counter Singer on Wednesday with left-hander Joey Cantillo (8-6, 4.02 ERA), making his 23rd start of the season.

The 26-year-old is looking to bounce back from a rocky performance Friday in an 11-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he surrendered five runs in just 3 2/3 innings.

With a win on Wednesday, Cleveland will take back the Ohio Cup after losing it in 2025. If the Reds win, they will tie the season series 3-3 and will retain the Cup. The teams split a doubleheader on Tuesday.

The Tuesday night game ended in dramatic, frustrating fashion for the Guardians, as Cincinnati center fielder Dane Myers crashed into the wall to rob Petey Halpin of extra bases for the final out and send Cleveland to a 2-0 loss, their third shutout loss in their past four games.

"We're so close," Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan said. "We're getting the guys in scoring position. We're just not cashing them in, but getting the guys in scoring position is the hard part. I think we're going to start clicking. The balls are going to start falling."

The Guardians managed just three singles in the loss and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

"We did a nice job getting on base, and then it was just another night where we didn't get that big hit," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "We're getting opportunities with runners in scoring position. We're just not cashing in. We're going to keep working."

--Field Level Media