Eric Stults (1-3, 4.84 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves (15-18) are in Cincinnati to go up against Jason Marquis (3-2, 5.66 ERA) and the Reds (16-17) in a matchup that has the potential for plenty of offense. This is the last of a three-game series at the Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the last game 4-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 13 and will air on SPSO and FSN-OH.
Marquis has a 6.68 ERA and a 5-5 record in his career against the Braves, and faces a solid Atlanta offense that’s hitting .259 on the year. In his pitching opportunities against the Reds, Stults is 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA. He meets a less-than-stellar Cincinnati offense that’s batting just .237. Kelly Johnson (.259, 11 Rs, 6 HRs, 18 RBIs) has been doing well, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
Cincinnati is a -134 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Reds are 7-6 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -162. They are 1-3 as the favorite over their last 10 games. They have been a terror on the base paths, leading all of baseball with 39 steals.
On the other side, the Braves have a record of 10-13 when they are the underdog and are -10 overall with the money line. The Braves average just 6.2 strikeouts per game, good for least in the NL.
The Reds will take on a left-hander (Stults) in this game and have a 3-5 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Braves will be the right-hander Marquis. They sport a 13-15 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN, O/U – Over
Notes
Atlanta has won 29% (6-15) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Cincinnati has won 46% (6-7) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Reds managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Braves who are coming in with a 3-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 2-12. The Reds have a 5-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Atlanta has hit 25 this season. Cincinnati ranks fifth with 40 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Cincinnati is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.94 per game. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.53.
Ranking 17th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.700). Atlanta ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .716.
When the Braves allow at least one home run, they are 4-12. When the Reds allow one or more homers, they have a 10-14 record.
