Cardinals vs. Reds Sunday Prediction
The Cincinnati Reds have had zero success against their National League Central rivals the St. Louis Cardinals this season. Despite the Cardinals’ ace toeing the rubber, will the Reds finally end their season-long losing streak versus St. Louis on Sunday?
Game Snapshot & Odds
951 St. Louis Cardinals (-120) at 952 Cincinnati Reds (+100); 9 runs
Sunday, June 10, 2018
1:10 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’ Martinez says he threw softer on purpose in return from DL
Carlos Martinez was throwing softer on purpose on Tuesday against the Marlins due to fear of re-injuring his right lat. Martinez did not want to ramp up the velocity in his first start off the disabled list, and it showed. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told reporters that the Cardinals were unaware of Martinez’s plan, saying that they can’t “read the minds” of other players. We’ll see if the right-hander is able to ramp things up in his next start, which is scheduled for Sunday against Cincinnati.
Reds’ DeSclafani loses in 2018 debut
Making his season debut, Anthony DeSclafani gave up four runs in five innings Tuesday in a loss to the Rockies. DeSclafani allowed all of the runs in the first two innings before settling down. He ended up striking out five and walking one, which is pretty good. Little more should have been expected in his first major league start since 2016. He might have mixed-league value later on, but it’ll probably be a little while.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals are 5-1 in Martinez’s last six road starts versus the Reds and have won eight of his last 10 outings overall versus Cincinnati.
Cincinnati
The under is 6-0 in DeScalfani’s last six starts versus the Cardinals.
Prediction:
Neither teams’ money line odds make much sense. The Cardinals have absolutely owned the Reds in the last 10-plus meetings between these two teams and they have their ace on the mound yet all you have to lay is -120 on them Sunday? No thanks. Something smells fishy and I would estimate it’s because Martinez was so cautious in his first start off the disabled list earlier this week. He rarely let it rip like he usually does and seemed to belabor through innings. The Reds are actually 5-1 in DeScalfani’s last six starts versus the Cardinals and I’m going to take my shot here with the underdog.
The Pick: Cincinnati Reds +100