The Pittsburgh Pirates (6-6) and Cincinnati Reds (4-8) will open up a National League Central series Monday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at the Great American Ball Park
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh suffered a three-game road sweep to the Milwaukee Brewers, which included a 4-1 setback as +104 underdogs Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total in each of those affairs. The Pirates went 11-8 against the Reds in 2013, including a 6-4 mark when playing at this venue. These two teams have played in the most one-run ball games in the majors thus far during the 2014 campaign. Pittsburgh is 23-28 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 29-20 in that situation.
Pirates starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (0-2, 5.73 ERA) has dropped his first two outings of the season, including a 7-5 road defeat to the Chicago Cubs last time out, as he allowed four runs and nine hits over five frames. The left-hander went 2-2 with a 6.26 ERA in six road games last year, with opposing hitters batting .317 against him. In 30 lifetime efforts versus the Reds, Rodriguez has compiled a 8-12 record and 4.26 ERA.
Cincinnati hasn’t won back-to-back games this season, as it looks to build off a 12-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays as -125 home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total for the first time in four affairs. The Reds may try to keep outfielder Jay Bruce out of the lineup, considering he’s hit .143 with 24 strikeouts in his career against Rodriguez. Cincinnati is 24-16 at home with a money line of -100 to -125 the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 22-12 in that situation.
Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (0-1, 7.71 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 7-5 road defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals last time out, as he surrendered four runs and nine hits over five innings of work. The right-hander was 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 home outings a year ago, with opposing hitters batting .213 against him. In 16 lifetime appearances versus the Pirates, Bailey has tallied a 8-5 record and 2.91 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Reds due to their 4-1 mark in Bailey’s last five home starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
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