Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/26/2018 Prediction & Odds

Phillies vs. Reds Thursday Prediction

The Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies open a new four-game series Thursday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. Are the Reds a good play for bettors as a small favorite in Game 1 of the series?

Game Snapshot & Odds

905 Philadelphia Phillies (+115) at 906 Cincinnati Reds (-125); 9.5 runs

Thursday, July 26, 2018

7:10 p.m. ET, Great American Ball Park

TV: PHI (NBCSP); CIN (FSO)

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Public Betting Trends

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Reds as a -125 favorite. As of this writing, 58% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Reds to beat the Phillies 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.

Phillies' Suarez to make MLB debut vs. Reds

Phillies LHP prospect Ranger Suarez will make his major league debut in a start Thursday against the Reds. Suarez owns a sharp 2.38 ERA and 1.147 WHIP in 15 starts this season between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but the 22-year-old southpaw had tallied just 66 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings and makes for an iffy fantasy bet against a Reds lineup that has surprised in 2018. This will likely be a spot start for Suarez.

Reds' Mahle gives up six runs in loss to Pirates

Tyler Mahle was tagged for six runs in 5 2/3 innings by the Pirates on Friday. Mahle has been roughed up in back-to-back starts, taking his ERA from 3.66 to 4.32. His rotation spot should be safe, though the situation is getting more crowded with Homer Bailey slated to return from the DL as a starter.

MLB Betting Trends

Philadelphia

The Phillies are 4-1 in their last five games versus the Reds overall but are just 3-14 in their last 17 games in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati

The Reds have lost five of their last seven games overall but did take two of three from the Cardinals this week.

Prediction:

One might think that with Suarez making his major league debut that the Reds would be a good play tonight. That said, Cincinnati just faced two pitchers making their major league debuts in St. Louis' Daniel Poncedeleon and Austin Gomber and both pitchers carried no-hitters into the seventh inning versus the Reds. This Cincinnati lineup is underrated but it has struggled recently against pitchers it hasn't faced. I'm rolling the dice on the kid in his debut.

 

The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +115