Matheny’s reeling Redbirds take on Cincinnati
The Cardinals’ season-long home struggles are hardly a secret around Major League Baseball. Rock bottom, though, may have arrived over the weekend.
Mike Matheny’s squad dropped two of three to woeful Atlanta, slipping a game behind Miami for the second wild-card spot in the National League. Another shot at Busch Stadium redemption begins tonight, with an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch against Cincinnati. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Redbirds odds of -195 to prevail. Conversely, Bryan Price’s troops represent +175 underdogs.
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St. Louis actually got manhandled by the resurgent Reds mere days ago. Cincy snagged the final two contests of that set by battering Matheny’s increasingly fragile batch of arms. Michael Wacha, however, hopes his sterling track record can stand for something in several hours. The righty’s 6-1 with a 1.97 ERA in 12 career meetings with Cincinnati.
As for the visiting club, it turns to Cody Reed (0-6, 7.30). Price loves the southpaw’s stuff and mound demeanor, but problems with command continue to confound the 23-year-old. Reed has issued 15 walks in 40 2/3 innings, contributing to a grisly WHIP of 1.80.
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Still, is he capable of neutralizing the Cardinals? We’ll nod in the affirmative, primarily because there’s no definitive word as to Matt Carpenter’s health status entering the series opener. When St. Louis’ offensive catalyst finds himself operating at less than 100 percent, matters tend to get truly wonky in baseball heaven. Expect the Reds to improve to 14-8 since the All-Star break.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: REDS +1.5