Alfredo Simon (2-5, 8.94 ERA) and Jaime Garcia (4-5, 3.48 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (22-36) and the St. Louis Cardinals (30-28) at the Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the last game 7-6, and Cincinnati leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 8 and can be seen on FSMW and FSOH.
Simon pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs, striking out six and walking three in an 11-4 win over the Rockies. Adam Duvall (.270, 31 Rs, 17 HRs, 38 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. Garcia went 5.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking three in a 3-1 defeat to the Brewers in his last outing. Matt Adams (.331, 17 Rs, 7 HRs, 28 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Cardinals, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Notes
The Cardinals lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Reds are 9-12. The Cardinals are 3-8 in close games this season.
Cincinnati has won 38% (11-18) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, St. Louis has won 56% (18-14) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cardinals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Reds have a 9-24 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 17-6. The Cardinals have a 25-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Cincinnati has earned 257 this season. St. Louis ranks second with 313 runs.
Ranking 18th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.722). St. Louis ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .794.
When the Cardinals allow at least one home run, they are 17-21. When the Reds allow one or more homers, they have a 16-29 record.
