MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

The Cincinnati Reds (39-38) and San Francisco Giants (46-32) will open up a National League series Thursday night at AT&T Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants should be able to score some runs Thursday night

Cincinnati has won four of its last five games, including a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs as -140 road favorites Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total for the third time in four affairs. The Reds have plenty of players that have enjoyed success against tonight’s opposing starter, including outfielder Jay Bruce being 5-for-15 with a home run and four RBIs. Projected leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton also managed to collect three hits when facing the Giants on June 4 in that situation. Cincinnati is 10-6 as road underdogs of +100 to +125, with the UNDER going 10-6 in those 16 opportunities.

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (5-6, 3.59 ERA) has registered back-to-back wins, including an 11-1 home victory over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out, as he allowed a single run and four hits over eight frames. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.54 ERA in eight road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .270 against him. Leake had captured four straight starts against the Giants from 2011-13 before giving up five runs in five innings of a 6-1 loss June 5.

San Francisco has dropped seven of its last 10 games, but it did manage to come away with a 4-0 victory over the San Diego Padres Wednesday, with right-hander Tim Lincecum tossing a no-hitter in the process. The Giants should also be productive at the plate in this matchup, with Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval being a combined 21-for-42 at the plate versus Leake. San Francisco is 4-6 at home with a money line of -100 to -125, with the OVER going 6-4 in that situation.

Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (5-3, 4.13 ERA) tallied a 6-4 road victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks last time out, as he gave up four runs and five hits over five frames. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.33 ERA in eight home appearances—not surrendering a home run in 48.2 combined innings. Vogelsong has put together a 1-0 record and 3.73 ERA in five starts versus the Reds since 2011.