Milwaukee and Cincinnati will see a familiar uniform for the first time in two weeks as they open a three game set at the Great American Ball Park tonight. This evening’s game one clash between the two divisional rivals is scheduled to get underway at 7:10pm ET. MLB Odds have the hosting Reds listed as a -128 moneyline favorite while the Brewers are getting +118 odds as a road underdog. The Over/Under in tonight’s series opener is set at 8.5 runs.
A mere eight days ago the Reds were riding a six game win streak and sitting 11 games over .500, but American League Central clubs Cleveland and Minnesota brought Dusty Baker’s crew back to earth. Cincinnati posted a 1-5 record over the last week, reducing its National League Central lead to one game over the Pirates.
Perhaps a familiar foe will do the Reds well as they look to put some space between themselves and the likes Pittsburgh and St. Louis. A home appearance for tonight’s starter, Mat Latos, may also benefit Cincinnati. Latos, who owns an unspectacular 5.20 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, has been far better at Great American Ball Park than opposing venues. Latos is 4-1 with a 3.91 ERA in eight home starts and the Reds are 6-2 in those eight appearances, winning by an average of 2.3 runs per game.
Milwaukee, which posted a 6-9 record in 15 inter-league games, returns to NL play with a 33-39 record. The Brewers, who are coming off back-to-back road losses to the White Sox, are still an outside factor in the NL Central race, sitting 6.5 games back of the Reds.
Milwaukee could close that gap a little bit with a solid performance from tonight’s starter, Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo, who is 4-3 in 12 career starts against the Reds, has picked up the win in four of his last six starts (Brewers 5-1 in those games). The 26 year old right hander has allowed just seven earned runs and struck out 19 in his last 19 2/3 innings of work.
MLB Odds Betting Trend: The Under is 9-1 in the Brewers last 10 games as a road dog with a game total between 8.5 and 9 runs.
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MLB Picks 2012 Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds: Provided by TopBet.com
Milwaukee Brewers +1.5 (-175), Over 8.5 (-110), +118 (Moneyline)
Cincinnati Reds -1.5 (+155), Under 8.5 (-110), -128 (Moneyline)
