Last Updated on April 15, 2016 6:30 pm by Brad Burns
Cardinals to power past Reds?
In danger of undoing their superb start, the Reds now collide with a surging National League Central rival.
Cincinnati visits St. Louis tonight in the opener of a three-game set at Busch Stadium. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI favor the host team, while the over/under total sits at 7.5 runs.
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Mike Matheny will give the ball to promising fireballer Carlos Martinez for the second time in 2016. The righty overcame minor control issues to notch a 12-2 win over the Braves last weekend. He’s also gone 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in previous meetings with the Reds.
Bryan Price counters with MLB newcomer Tim Melville (0-0, 2.25), who needed 92 pitches to grind through four innings of a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Cincy actually hasn’t prevailed since then, getting devoured by the Cubs following its best out-of-the-gate run five years. Bullpen problems told the story 24 hours ago, with Chicago plating five runs in the eighth alone.
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The Redbirds needed nary a reliever yesterday afternoon. Jaime Garcia twirled a one-hit shutout vs. Milwaukee, giving the defending division champions five triumphs in the past six contests. Recent history suggests the Cards could struggle against an unfamiliar hurler in Melville, though, so temper expectations on the offensive front. One player to watch: St. Louis rookie outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (.481), who carries an improbable eight-game hitting streak into the proceedings.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: REDS/CARDINALS UNDER 7.5 RUNS
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