In the second of a three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (53-55) and the Cincinnati Reds (48-59) at Chase Field, Robbie Ray (3-6, 3.01 ERA) and Keyvius Sampson (0-1, 4.50 ERA) take the mound. The Diamondbacks won the last game 2-0 and Arizona leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 5:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 and will air on FSOH and FSAZ.
In his last start, Ray pitched 5.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out five and walking three in a 4-1 loss to the Astros. David Peralta (.281, 42 Rs, 10 HRs, 51 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI. The Reds were unsuccessful to the Pirates 3-0 the last time Sampson pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one. Joey Votto (.309, 59 Rs, 19 HRs, 51 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday.
Arizona, a -139 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Cincinnati. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Diamondbacks have an 18-19 record and overall money line at +141. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking second in all of baseball with 95 steals.
Across the field, the Reds have a subpar record of 21-38 when they are the underdog and are -1,010 overall with the money line. The Reds have racked up 102 steals on the year, making them the most threatening base-running team in the league. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 2.9 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 4.4.
The only other game between the two teams went Arizona’s way. The Diamondbacks will take on a right-hander (Sampson) in this game and have a 40-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Ray will take the mound against the Reds, who have a 36-45 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ari, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Arizona is 19-16, while Cincinnati is 17-24.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Reds are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Diamondbacks have an 8-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 37-16. The Diamondbacks have a 36-14 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd in runs, Cincinnati has earned 419 this season. Arizona ranks eighth with 477 runs.
Both Arizona and Cincinnati are tied at ninth in walks with a total of 330 this season.
The Diamondbacks are 36-22 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Reds are 40-28 when they hit at least one homer.
