The Cincinnati Reds (19-21) and Philadelphia Phillies (17-22) will continue a National League series on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over its last eight games, as it comes off a 3-0 road victory over the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, while going UNDER the betting total for a fifth consecutive affair. The Reds were missing both outfielder Jay Bruce and first baseman Joey Votto in the lineup for the first time since Sept. 20, 2012 in last night’s series opener. Cincinnati is 3-3 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the UNDER going 5-1 in that situation.
Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.72 ERA) is coming off a 4-1 home victory over the Colorado Rockies last time out, as he allowed a single run and four hits over 7.1 innings of work. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in four road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .309 against him. In eight lifetime starts versus the Phillies, Bailey has compiled a 0-3 record and 3.61 ERA.
Philadelphia has dropped its last four games due to scoring just seven runs over that span, with the UNDER cashing in three of those opportunities. It’s important to point out that only the Astros and Diamondbacks have been outscored more than the Phillies this season, which isn’t a good statistic under first year manager Ryne Sandberg. Philadelphia is 3-3 at home with a money line of -100 to -124 this season, with the OVER going 5-1 in those six affairs.
Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (0-2, 5.32 ERA) has watched the club drop all four of his efforts this season, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 5-4 road defeat to the New York Mets last time out. The left-hander threw a career-high 133 pitches in that outing—the most by any pitcher in the league in 2014. Hamels has compiled a 7-0 record and 1.70 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Reds, with the franchise winning each of those appearances.
Sports bettors will likely back the Phillies due to their 36-17 record in Hamels’ last 53 starts versus NL Central foes.
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