Arrieta, Cubs aim to continue roll vs. Reds
Having logged 23 straight quality starts in the regular season, Chicago’s Jake Arrieta rarely suffers any sort of a slip-up. Cincinnati fans, however, might well find themselves in luck tonight.
The two National League Central rivals square off at 7:10 p.m. ET in the opener of a four-game set in the Queen City. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI recognize the visiting team as a 1.5-run favorite, while the over/under run total sits at seven.
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Arrieta’s relatively pedestrian track record at the Great American Ballpark could make for a tighter duel than expected. The reigning Cy Young recipient has allowed eight runs in 10 innings there, with second baseman Brandon Phillips (4 for 11) and shortstop Zack Cosart (4 for 12) enjoying notable success off the righty. Cincinnati’s stalwarts in the infield will try to rake on behalf of lefty hurler Brandon Finnegan (1-0, 2.04 ERA), whose control issues short-circuited recent turns vs. the Cubs and Cardinals.
Not working in the Reds’ favor: the fact that Joe Maddon’s squad swept them mere days ago. Chicago actually owns a six-game winning streak over Cincy, which did take two of three from Colorado earlier in the week. Phillips batted .750 in the final two contests of the series, helping offset Joey Votto’s (.182 with 14 strikeouts) continued struggles.
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Who are we to bet against Arrieta, though, in any setting? The man’s coming off an appearance in which he blanked the Rockies, they of the 19 homers and MLB-leading 203 total bases, for eight frames. He’s immersed in an historic stretch, and it won’t be halted here.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS/REDS OVER 7 RUNS
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