MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Cincinnati Reds (31-34) and Milwaukee Brewers (40-27) will meet up in a National League affair Friday night at Miller Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers went 5-3 on their most recent road trip

Cincinnati has won two games in a row, including a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers as +115 home underdogs Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total for the fourth time in five contests. Reds outfielder Jay Bruce is hitting .273 through his first 10 games this month, which has raised his overall average to .212 this season. The franchise has won or split eight of its last 12 series versus Milwaukee. Cincinnati is 6-5 as road underdogs of +100 to +125, with the UNDER going 8-3 in that situation.

Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (7-3, 4.60 ERA) has tallied four consecutive victories, including a 4-1 home win over the Philadelphia Phillies last time out, as he allowed a single run and six hits over eight frames. The right-hander has gone 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA in six road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .299 against him. In 17 career efforts versus the Brewers, Bailey has compiled a 4-7 record and 5.21 ERA.

Milwaukee returns home after a 5-3 road trip, which ended by picking up a 5-1 victory over the New York Mets as -130 favorites Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive affair. The Brewers are being led offensively by catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who is batting .436 with seven extra-base hits in his last 10 games. The squad is 8-2 when playing on Friday this season, with the OVER cashing in six of those 10 opportunities.

Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (4-4, 4.42 ERA) has registered back-to-back wins, including a 9-3 road victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, as he surrendered three runs and six hits over six frames. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA in seven home appearances, with opposing hitters batting .233 against him. Garza hasn’t faced the Reds since giving up 13 runs and 13 hits in two starts as a member of the Chicago Cubs last year.