Terry Francona’s return to Progressive Field is one of the most compelling storylines of the 2025 MLB season. Few managers are as beloved in a city as Francona is in Cleveland — not just for his success on the field, but for the culture he built and the loyalty he showed through multiple health setbacks. His 11-year run cemented him as a franchise icon, and Monday night will likely be an emotional homecoming for fans and players alike.
Now managing the Reds — and needing just one win to secure the Ohio Cup — Francona finds himself on the other side of a familiar rivalry. It’s rare for a manager to be welcomed so warmly while in the opposing dugout, but Francona’s legacy in Cleveland guarantees just that.
Wade Miley’s return to Progressive Field adds another layer of nostalgia and intrigue to this Ohio Cup series. His 2021 no-hitter against Terry Francona’s Guardians was one of the highlights of his career — and a rare bright spot for the Reds during that season. Now, after more than a year away recovering from elbow surgery, Miley’s comeback starts right where one of his most memorable MLB moments took place.
It’s a full-circle moment: a veteran pitcher returning from injury, a legendary manager revisiting a former home, and two Ohio rivals clashing with more than just bragging rights on the line.
Monday night’s Ohio Cup opener sets up as a contrast between experience and momentum. The Reds hand the ball to 38-year-old Wade Miley, freshly signed and still shaking off rust from his elbow surgery, while the Guardians counter with Luis Ortiz, who’s been a steady force in their rotation this season.
Miley’s brief, rocky outing against Milwaukee underscores the risk Cincinnati is taking, but his track record against Cleveland — and the emotional backdrop of returning to a stadium tied to a career milestone — adds intrigue. Ortiz, meanwhile, has quietly become a key piece for the Guardians, delivering consistent outings and coming off a dominant start in Yankee Stadium. He’s already shown he can handle the Reds’ lineup, despite the loss last month.
With both teams needing a jolt — Cleveland trying to gain ground in the AL Central and Cincinnati trying to stay afloat without Hunter Greene — this matchup carries more weight than a typical interleague tilt.
