Cardinals vs. Reds Friday Prediction
National League Central rivals square off at Great American Ball Park this weekend when the Cincinnati Reds host the St. Louis Cardinals. Is the betting total set too high for the first game on Friday night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
957 St. Louis Cardinals (-125) at 958 Cincinnati Reds (+115); 9.5 runs
Friday, June 8, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Great American Ball Park
TV: STL (FSMW); CIN (FSO)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cardinals as a -125 favorite. As of this writing, 73% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cardinals to beat the Reds on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Cardinals’ Weaver allows one run in five innings vs. Pirates
Luke Weaver held the Pirates to one run in five innings but had to settle for a no-decision on Saturday. He made one mistake, a solo home run by Colin Moran in the second inning. He struck out four without issuing a walk and allowed four hits on the afternoon. His record holds at 3-5 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.25 WHIP after 12 starts. He will face the Reds on the road on Friday.
Reds’ Harvey ineffective again in loss vs. Padres
Matt Harvey couldn’t take advantage of a pedestrian Padres offense Saturday, allowing five runs — four earned — on six hits over five innings in a loss. Not only did Harvey not dominate a forgettable Padres lineup, the Friars got the best of the matchup. Those looking for positives might note that of their six hits, five were singles and the one extra-base hit was a double, but we should be past looking for silver linings at this point. It’s clear that Harvey isn’t what he once was, or even a shadow of what he once was, and fantasy owners hoping a move to Cincinnati would jumpstart the right-hander should cut bait if they haven’t already. Harvey will carry a 5.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP into Friday’s meeting with the Cardinals.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals are a perfect 9-0 in their last nine games played in Cincinnati and are 15-2 in their last 17 games versus the Reds overall.
Cincinnati
The Reds are just 10-27 in their last 37 home games and are 24-51 in their last 75 games overall.
Prediction:
This is a bit of a risk because the Great American Ball Park is a pure hitter’s park and Harvey has not pitched well of late. That said, the Cardinals’ offense is incredibly overrated. They have several key players in seemingly season-long funks and thus, I believe this total has been set too high. Actually, the total is appropriate given the ball park and pitching matchup, I just see value in the under, which is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two division rivals.
The Pick: Cardinals/Reds under 9.5