Jon Moscot (0-2, 4.02 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (10-16) go up against Jeff Samardzija (3-1, 3.86 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (14-13) in the second of a three-game series at the Great American Ball Park. The Giants won the last game 9-6, and San Francisco leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 3 and will air on CSBA and FSOH.
In his last start, Moscot pitched 5.0 innings, giving up three, striking out two and walking four in a 5-2 loss to the Mets. Jay Bruce (.256, 10 Rs, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI. The Giants were victorious over the Padres 13-9 the last time Samardzija pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, striking out seven and walking two. Brandon Belt (.310, 15 Rs, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs) has been doing well, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Reds has gone great. Over that span, Cincinnati is averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The Reds are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 20 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Over their past 10 games, Cincinnati’s pitchers have been playing lights out, only allowing 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 7.2 strikeouts per game.
San Francisco has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The Giants average 4.0 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the NL. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the San Francisco pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
The only other game between the two teams went San Francisco’s way.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF
Notes
The Reds managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Giants who are coming in with a 9-7 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Reds are 2-12. The Giants have a 3-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Cincinnati has hit 20 this season. San Francisco ranks 12th with 28 home runs.
Ranking 25th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.58 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 9.19.
Ranking 27th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.671). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .780.
The Giants are 5-11 when they allow at least one home run. The Reds perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with an 8-16 record.
