This game could be low scoring as Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.85 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (29-35) meet David Price (6-2, 2.44 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (34-31) in the first of a two-game series at the Great American Ball Park. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 17 and will air on FSN-DET and FSN-OH.
In his most recent outing, Cueto pitched 7.0 innings, allowing four runs and striking out nine in a 5-4 loss to the Cubs. Todd Frazier (.293, 46 Rs, 20 HRs, 41 RBIs, 8 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, two home runs, and two RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Reds, Price is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 22 strikeouts and two walks. Miguel Cabrera (.345, 37 Rs, 14 HRs, 48 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one RBI.
Cincinnati is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Reds are in an interesting position this season. While they have a notable winning record in games where they’re the favorite (17-10), their overall money line (-828) is less impressive. They have SU record of 5-5 and are unbeaten as the favorite (4-0) over their last 10 games. The Reds seem to play worse on offense against American League opponents. In those matchups, Cincinnati has only averaged 2.4 runs per game compared to its 4.0 season average. The Reds are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with an MLB-high 66 steals. Cincinnati’s pitchers struggle against teams that play in the American League. The Reds have given up an average of 5.1 runs to opponents from the AL, well over their defense’s season average of 4.4.
Switching gears, the Tigers come into this game with a win percentage of .480 when playing as the underdog (12-13) and an overall money line of +135. Against interleague opponents, they are 7-5 SU and have played well as the underdog with a 4-3 record. The top hitting team in the AL are the Tigers, who average 9.4 hits per game. The Tigers have racked up 51 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Detroit’s pitching staff tends to perform well when they play NL opponents. They’ve allowed an average of 3.2 runs per game against teams from the NL, lower than their season average of 4.1.
The Reds will take on a left-hander (Price) in this game and have a 7-9 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Cueto will take the mound against the Tigers, who have a 24-24 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
The Tigers are 3-2 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Reds are 2-5 in such matchups.
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Reds have a 9-17 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 21-8. The Tigers have a 30-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st in runs, Cincinnati has earned 257 this season. Detroit ranks 13th with 272 runs.
Ranking 12th, Detroit is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 199 this season. Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 203.
When the Reds hit at least one home run, they are 25-18. When the Tigers hit at least one homer, they have a 24-10 record.
