The Cincinnati Reds (38-29) and Cleveland Indians (35-32) will close out a three-game interleague series on Wednesday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Cincinnati Reds at Cleveland Indians
Cincinnati has lost the first two games of this series, including a 3-2 setback on Tuesday night after closer Aroldis Chapman gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the tenth inning. “The game goes from jubilation to just a downer in one swing,” stated Reds manager Dusty Baker. The Reds were unable to drive in runs at critical stages of the game, finishing 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Offensively, first baseman Joey Votto is red hot, going 9 for 19 against the Indians this season. Cincinnati is 4-5 as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.84 ERA) picked up a 7-3 road victory against the New York Mets in his last effort, which served as his first win since May 7. The right-hander has gone 3-3 with a 3.91 ERA in seven road starts, issuing seven walks and striking out 32 batters in 46 frames. In nine career games (eight starts) versus the Indians, Arroyo has compiled a 5-4 record and 4.67 ERA, including a 4-1 mark and 2.93 ERA in five games (four starts) at this ball park.
Cleveland sits atop the American League Central division after collecting its first walk-off win since May 17, as shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera redeemed himself after committing three errors the night before. “This guy is our best hitter,” commented Indians manager Manny Acta. The Indians are now solely focused on earning a split in the Ohio Cup, which would definitely be a win, considering they were swept inside the Great American Ball Park last week. Cleveland is 7-5 at home with a money line of -100 to -125.
Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson (3-6, 4.38 ERA) snapped a three-game losing streak in picking up a 2-0 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing just four hits over seven shutout innings. The right-hander has gone 2-3 with a 3.13 ERA in nine home starts, but has issued 26 walks in 60.1 frames. In three career outings versus the Reds, Masterson has produced a 1-2 record and 4.58 ERA, including an 8-2 road win on July 1 of last year, giving up one run and four hits over eight strong innings.
Bettors will likely play the total in this contest, with the “under” cashing in five of Arroyo’s last seven interleague starts, while the Indians have fallen short of the number in 10 of their last 14 games as a favorite of -110 to -150 against NL opponents.
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