The St Louis Cardinals are in Cincinnati for game two of their three game series with the Reds. The Reds took the first game 7-5 on a 9th inning walk off homerun from Scott Schebler. The Cardinals have played the Reds well of late winning 8 of the last 11 meetings overall including 2 of the last 3 played in Cincinnati.
Head to Head Trends
Cardinals are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
Cardinals are 6-0 in Wachas last 6 starts vs. Reds.
Cincinnati Reds (+122)
The Cincinnati Reds are last in the National League Central 19 games under .500 and 21.5 games out of 1st place. The Reds have a somewhat explosive offense at times averaging 4.32 runs per game but their pitching is absolutely horrible allowing a league worst 5.16 runs per game.
Taking the mound for the Reds today is rookie Cody Reed who is 0-5 with a 7.07 ERA in 7 starts this season. Reed had one good start versus the Braves a couple outings back but he’s been hit hard in his other 6 starts which includes 10 home runs allowed in just 35 innings of work.
Cincinnati Reds Trends
Reds are 0-7 in Reeds last 7 starts.
Reds are 21-55 in their last 76 vs. a team with a winning record.
St Louis Cardinals (-132)
The St Louis Cardinals are 2nd in the National League Central 9 games back of the 1st place Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals have one of the best offenses in all of baseball averaging 5.08 runs per game and that jumps all the way up to 5.71 runs per game away from home. The Card’s have a solid pitching staff allowing 4.25 runs per game and they are slightly better on the road as well allowing 4.22 runs per game.
Starting for the Cardinals in this one is Michael Wacha who is 6-7 with a 4.38 ERA on the season. Wacha had a little rough stretch back in May but apart from that he’s been pretty good allowing 3 or less earned runs in his last 9 straight starts.
St Louis Cardinals Trends
Cardinals are 20-7 in Wachas last 27 starts with 5 days of rest.
Cardinals are 9-1 in their last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Free Pick Conclusion
I like the St Louis Cardinals over the Reds in this one. This pick is mostly a fade of Reds starting pitcher Cody Reed who has been a complete gas can this season so I don’t expect him to have a very good game today against one of the best hitting teams in baseball.
Free Pick: St Louis Cardinals -132
