Wacha, Cards to give Reds rude awakening?
On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals hope for another exquisite mound performance from Michael Wacha.
The ascending righty leads St. Louis (6-5) into battle with the Reds at 2:15 p.m. ET in the finale of a three-game set. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI like the host squad as a 1.5-run favorite, with an over/under total of 8.5 runs.
Wacha was splendid in his most recent turn, fanning seven in six scoreless innings of a 10-1 triumph vs. Milwaukee. He’s made a habit of dominating Cincinnati, too, beating Bryan Price’s club in four consecutive starts with a 1.37 ERA. The Reds (6-5) have batted .183 against the Texas A&M product during the same span.
Yesterday, however, featured an anything-but-meek offensive display by Cincy. The visiting team smacked 15 hits in a 9-8 victory, causing St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright’s ERA to balloon to 8.27 in the process. Shortstop Zack Cozart returned from a brief injury absence to record three of those base knocks.
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Jon Moscot would adore comparable prowess with the lumber in this one. Cincinnati’s hurler is making his fourth career MLB appearance after a non-separated throwing shoulder robbed the Santa Monica native of an extended audition last year. In limited 2015 action, Moscot compiled a 1-1 mark and 4.63 ERA.
The Reds’ inconsistency means individuals clamoring for a second straight nine-double showing will wind up disappointed. Unlike Wainwright, Wacha’s too good with his command right now to allow Cozart (.480 average), Eugenio Suarez (.326) and Jay Bruce (.310) to go wild. Mike Matheny may also sit a fair number of regulars in anticipation of the looming bout with the Cubs, so prepare for minimal scoring.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: REDS/CARDINALS UNDER 8.5 RUNS
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