MLB Monday August 1st Reds at Marlins Betting Preview

The MLB trade deadline is Tuesday, and the Red and Marlins would seem like proverbial sellers. Cincinnati already shipped pitcher Luis Castillo to the Mariners last week and have many more players available as they are 16.5 back in the Central and the third worst team in the NL.

Miami is 17.5 back in the loaded East, but in a better position for the wild card just 8 games back from the third and final spot. Pablo Lopez and others could still be on the move on Tuesday with the home team being -104 for Monday’s series opener (CIN -114). These two teams split a 4-game set last week at Great American Ballpark.

Reds Head on the Road

Cincinnati went 6-4 in a 10-game home stand coming out of the All-Star break and now they prepare for 9 games on the road leading up to the Field of Dream game against the Cubs on August 11th. The Reds have momentum after winning three game series’ against the Cardinals and Orioles and splitting a 4-game set with these Marlins.

The Reds got solid pitching in winning Saturday’s game 8-2 (-109) and squeezing out the finale with the Orioles 3-2 (-123). Jonathan India had a red hot weekend going 7-12 with a HR while Brandon Drury had a pinch-hit go ahead HR in the 8th on Sunday and is 6 for his last 14.

Hunter Greene (3-12, 5.59 ERA) will try to keep the strong pitching performances going when he starts the series opener. Greene has given up 7 ER in his last two road starts (9.0 IP) and is 1-7 with a 5.77 ERA in away starts this season.

Marlins Try to Get Back on Track

Miami had a rough weekend getting swept by the division leading Mets by a combined margin of 19-7. The Marlins have now dropped four of their last five and they are also 1-6 in their last seven Monday games.

Miami faced Greene last Tuesday at Great American Ballpark, collecting 9 hits and their 2 runs was enough in a 2-1 Marlins victory. Joey Wendle and Jacob Stallings had a multi-hit game against Greene in last week’s win but all but one of the hits were singles.

Stallings has been red hot for Miami going 7 for his last 14. Miguel Rojas has 4 RBI in his last four games as well as the Marlins may need to get some offense going in the opener considering they have still not named a starting pitcher. Braxton Garrett (2-4, 3.96 ERA) has followed Lopez the last couple times through the order but he is not confirmed.
(Update: Jesus Luzardo is expected to make his first start since May after being sidelined with a forearm strain). 

Free August 1st Reds at Marlins Betting Pick

The Reds definitely have some great value at -112 considering Miami has yet to confirm a starting pitcher. The Reds have won or split all three series coming out of the All-Star break and although those games were all at home, that’s still some nice momentum built up for Cincinnati. 62% of the betting public likes the Marlins at home but this looks like a Reds play.

Free Pick: Reds -112