The San Diego Padres (19-21) and Cincinnati Reds (17-20) will continue a National League series Wednesday night at the Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET
San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds
San Diego has won four games in a row, including a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati as +101 road underdogs Tuesday, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in that period. The one-run triumph was the Padres’ MLB-leading 27th game decided by two runs or less. Third baseman Chase Headley will likely lead the offense, as he’s gone 7 for 15 in his career against tonight’s opposing starter. San Diego is 1-1 as road underdogs of +150 to +175 this season.
Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (2-4, 3.12 ERA) has watched the club drop his last two efforts, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 3-1 home loss to the Miami Marlins last time out, as he allowed one run and four hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three road appearances, with opposing hitters batting just .154 against him. Kennedy has compiled a 3-0 record and 1.53 ERA in four career games versus the Reds, including a 2-0 mark and 1.69 ERA in three appearances at this ballpark.
Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, with the offense scoring just 14 runs in that span. The Reds are missing starting right fielder Jay Bruce’s power, as he landed on the disabled list after having left knee surgery last week. Offensively, Chris Heisey will be looked upon to pick up the slack, but he’s hitting just .212 in games he starts compared to .286 when coming off the bench. Cincinnati is 29-11 as home favorites of -150 to -175 the last two-plus seasons.
Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (3-2, 1.43 ERA) has led the squad to victory in four of his last five trips to the mound, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 4-3 home win over the Colorado Rockies last time out. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 1.62 ERA in five home appearances this season—surrendering five home runs in 39 combined frames. In five lifetime starts versus the Padres, Cueto has registered a 2-2 record and 6.00 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Padres due their 4-1 record in Kennedy’s last five road starts.
Make sure to check out our Major League Baseball picks all season long and get the most up-to-date betting odds at Bookmaker
