MLB Predictions: Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

The Cincinnati Reds (55-43) and San Francisco Giants (45-52) will open up a three-game National League series Monday night at AT&T Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants SP Tim Lincecum is 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA in four career starts versus the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati had its three-game winning streak snapped Sunday, as it suffered a 3-2 setback to the Pittsburgh Pirates as -133 home favorites, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in four contests. The Reds will now head out on an 11-game road trip on the West Coast, as they trail the first place St. Louis Cardinals by five games in the NL Central division. Cincinnati is 9-6 on the road when the total is 7 or less, with the OVER going 8-5-2 in that situation.

Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (8-7, 3.42 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four games, as he comes off a 4-2 road victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 12. The right-hander is 2-5 with a 4.98 ERA in seven road appearances, surrendering eight home runs in 43.1 combined innings. In 13 career games (12 starts) versus the Giants, Arroyo has compiled a 4-5 record and 3.00 ERA, including an 8-1 home victory on July 1.

San Francisco was unable to complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, as it dropped a 3-1 decision as -161 home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 7. The Giants are 5.5 games back in the NL West standings, but pitcher Madison Bumgarner believes the club is ready to make a run at the division. “If we win every series, we should be sitting pretty good in September,” he commented after the game. San Francisco is 9-5 at home with a money line of -100 to -125, with the OVER going 7-6-1 in that situation.

Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (5-9, 4.26 ERA) threw his first no-hitter of his career on July 13, as he picked up a 9-0 road victory over the San Diego Padres. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA in nine home games, with opposing hitters batting .212 against him. In four career starts versus the Reds, Lincecum has tallied an 0-2 record and 6.85 ERA, including a 3-0 road loss on July 2.