Brewers vs. Reds Preview
CINCINNATI, OH (AP) – The defending NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds picked up from where they left off last year with a dramatic comeback victory in their season opener.
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They also continued their dominance of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Reds look to build on that thrilling win when they host the Brewers on Friday night.
According to MLB odds and oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Reds -120 moneyline favorites for Saturday’s game against the Brewers. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 93% of more than 60 bets for this game have been placed on the Brewers +110.
Cincinnati made a habit of coming from behind last season to win its first division title since 1995. The Reds tied a major league record with their first six wins coming in their final at-bat and finished with 45 comeback victories, third-most in the majors.
Cincinnati seemed to be headed to a fourth straight opening day loss Thursday, entering the ninth inning trailing 6-3 before rallying for a 7-6 victory.
The Reds pulled to within two on a sacrifice fly by Jonny Gomes, and Ramon Hernandez followed with a game-ending, three-run homer with two outs off John Axford.
“I’ve played 12 years, and this is the most amazing opening day,” said Hernandez, who ended it with his fourth hit. “To get that type of win is great, and to do it on a day like today gets people even more excited. It’s amazing.”
The Reds won for the 16th time in 19 games against the Brewers and have won nine of the last 10 meetings in Cincinnati.
Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto has had a lot to do with that success.
Votto homered and drove in a pair of runs Thursday, and he’s batting .442 with four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .519 on-base percentage in 12 games against the Brewers since the start of last season.
Milwaukee will turn to Shaun Marcum, one of its new prized starting pitcher additions, to try to slow down Votto.
The Brewers, who also acquired 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke from Kansas City in the offseason, signed Marcum after he went 13-8 with a 3.64 ERA with Toronto in 2010.
The right-hander was 1-6 with a 5.64 ERA versus New York, Boston and Tampa Bay – the AL’s top three offenses – but went 12-2 with a 2.74 ERA against everyone else. He is 6-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 10 career starts against the NL.
Marcum, who has never faced the Reds, missed a spring training start last week with a stiff right shoulder but pitched four innings Monday.
“A lot of people go through tightness and soreness, especially early in spring,” Marcum told the Brewers’ official website. “I’m healthy.”
Milwaukee got off to an impressive start to this season with Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez opening Thursday’s game with back-to-back homers. Ryan Braun also hit a solo shot.
The Brewers, second in the NL in homers last season with 182 – six fewer than league-leading Cincinnati – will face Travis Wood, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in two starts against Milwaukee.
Wood went 5-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 17 starts as a rookie last season, allowing three runs or fewer 13 times. The left-hander has been pushed up in the rotation after injuries to Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey.
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