Brandon Finnegan (1-1, 3.86 ERA) and Johnny Cueto (4-1, 2.65 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (10-15) and the San Francisco Giants (13-13) at the Great American Ball Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 2 and can be seen on CSBA and FSOH.
Finnegan pitched 6.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 4-3 defeat to the Mets. Eugenio Suarez (.266, 15 Rs, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run. Cueto went 9.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out 11 and walking one in a 1-0 win over the Padres in his last outing. Hunter Pence (.293, 15 Rs, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Giants, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
The odds for Cincinnati and San Francisco are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Reds have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Cincinnati is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 19 bases. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Reds, who rank fifth in the NL in strikeouts per game with 7.2.
Offensively, the Giants have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. San Francisco is excellent at drawing walks with 4.0 per game, ranking third in the NL. The Giants allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF
Notes
The Reds managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Giants who are coming in with a 5-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Reds are 2-11. The Giants have a 3-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Cincinnati has hit 19 this season. San Francisco ranks 13th with 27 home runs.
Ranking 24th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.56 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 9.00.
Ranking 28th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.670). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .773.
When the Giants allow at least one home run, they are 4-11, well-matched with the Reds who are 8-15 when allowing at least one homer.
