In the third of a four-game series between the Cincinnati Reds (49-69) and the Miami Marlins (62-57) at the Great American Ball Park, Homer Bailey (2-1, 4.30 ERA) and Andrew Cashner (4-9, 5.08 ERA) get the start. The Reds won the last game 6-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and will air on FSOH and FSFL.
In his most recent outing, Bailey pitched 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out 11 and walking one in a 7-4 victory over the Brewers. Jay Bruce (.255, 65 Rs, 27 HRs, 85 RBIs, 4 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4. The Marlins were unsuccessful the last time Cashner pitched. He did not do well, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up four runs, striking out five and walking five in a 4-2 loss to the White Sox. Giancarlo Stanton (.244, 52 Rs, 25 HRs, 70 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Marlins, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
Cincinnati is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Reds are in an interesting position this season. While they have a notable winning record in games where they’re the favorite (16-6), their overall money line (-862) is less impressive. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking second in all of baseball with 106 steals.
Moving on to the away team, the Marlins come into this game with a win percentage of .533 when playing as the underdog (32-28) and an overall money line of +258. The Marlins rank fifth in the NL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. The top hitting team in the NL are the Marlins, who average 9.4 hits per game. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Miami batters, who rank fourth in the NL with 7.6 strikeouts per game. Switching gears to Miami’s pitching staff, they allow just 8.4 hits per game, good for fourth in the NL. The Miami pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 8.3 strikeouts per game.
The Marlins are 4-1 against the Reds this season. The Reds will take on a right-hander (Cashner) in this game and have a 40-52 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Bailey will take the mound against the Marlins, who have a 41-48 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Reds are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Marlins have a 20-37 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Reds are 9-54. The Marlins have an 8-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Cincinnati ranks 21st with 128 homers and Miami is 28th with 99.
Ranking first in hits, Miami has earned 9.42 per game this season. Cincinnati ranks 11th with 8.27 hits.
Ranking 25th, Cincinnati is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.710). Miami ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .741.
When the Marlins allow at least one home run, they are 27-35. When the Reds allow one or more homers, they have a 35-57 record.
