MLB Picks: San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds

The San Diego Padres (18-21) and Cincinnati Reds (17-19) will open up a National League series Tuesday night at the Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET

San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are 5-1 in their last six home games against the San Diego Padres

San Diego has put together a three-game win streak, including a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins as -126 home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total in each of those affairs. The Padres entered their last affair ranked ahead of only the Houston Astros in total runs scored, as the team continues to rely heavily on its pitching staff to register wins. San Diego is 3-3 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the UNDER going 5-1 in that situation.

Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (2-5, 2.86 ERA) has suffered four consecutive defeats, including an 8-0 setback at home to the Kansas City Royals last time out, as he allowed four runs (two earned) and seven hits over four innings of work. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.00 ERA in three road efforts, with opposing hitters batting .296 against him. In seven lifetime appearances (one start) versus the Reds, Cashner has gone 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over its last four affairs, as it comes off a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies as -127 home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 7.5. The Reds are 11-8 at this venue and are 5-3-1 in their past nine series. Third baseman Todd Frazier is leading the offensive attack in recent weeks—hitting safely in 16 of his past 18 games. Cincinnati is 29-19 at home with a money line of -100 to -125 the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 26-16 in that situation.

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (2-3, 3.40 ERA) has watched the club drop his last four trips to the mound, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 4-3 road defeat to the Boston Red Sox last time out. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA in two home appearances—not allowing a home run in 14.2 combined frames. In three career starts versus the Padres, Leake has produced a 0-1 record and 3.45 ERA.