Reds to hold off Pirates in rubber match?
Sweeping lowly Philadelphia is one thing. Potentially snatching a series from Pittsburgh represents an altogether different accomplishment.
Host Cincinnati could do precisely that by knocking off the Pirates this afternoon. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv give the slight edge to the visitors, though, with the over/under total resting at 8.5 runs.
So far in 2016, the Reds have had no trouble rounding the bases. Shortstop-turned-third baseman Eugenio Suarez led the charge in yesterday’s 5-1 win, bashing his third homer in four games. The 24-year-old boasts seven hits in 19 at-bats with eight RBIs and eight runs scored.
Suarez obviously played a crucial role in forcing Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole out of the contest early. Making his belated season debut after an exhibition schedule rife with ribcage trouble, Cole failed to complete five innings. The Buccos also plated fewer than four runs for the first time.
Today, they’ll take hacks against MLB newbie Tim Melville. The righty comes up from Louisville to take this assignment in a telling condemnation of Cincy’s current rotation. (Four starters now reside on the disabled list.) Melville went 7-10 with a 4.63 ERA for Detroit Class AAA affiliate last season.
MLB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Pittsburgh would therefore appear to hold the edge – if Jeff Locke’s newfangled delivery produces the desired results. The veteran southpaw struggled throughout 2015 (an 8-11 record and 1.42 WHIP), but Clint Hurdle’s respects Locke’s repertoire and caginess. Unless Joey Votto (.211 average) and Billy Hamilton (.182) step up to help Suarez on the offensive side, the Reds may not realize that 5-1 start.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/REDS OVER 8.5 RUNS
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!
