Wily Peralta (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and the Milwaukee Brewers (2-10) meet Anthony DeSclafani (1-0, 1.38 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (5-7) in the first of a four-game division series at Miller Park. The Brewers enter this series looking to snap a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 7:20 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 20 and will air on FSN-OH and FSN-WI.
Peralta is 3-3 with a 2.88 ERA against the Reds in his career, and is up against a less-than-stellar Cincinnati offense that’s hitting just .219 on the year. Adam Lind (.300, 3 Rs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the Brewers, DeSclafani is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, one strike out and zero walks. Joey Votto (.364, 8 Rs, 4 HRs, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Reds, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Milwaukee is a -127 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Brewers perform poorly as a favorite with a 1-5 record and have an overall money line of -883. They have disappointing records of 1-2 as the favorite and 2-7 SU within their division. The Brewers don’t give up many walks at home to opposing batters at Miller Park, leading the NL with only 1.2 walks allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Reds have a subpar record of 3-5 when they are the underdog and are -56 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 5-6 SU and 3-5 as the underdog. Cincinnati is a terror on the base paths, with an MLB-best 13 stolen bases.
The Brewers will take on a right-hander (DeSclafani) in this game. They have done very poorly against right-handed starting pitchers this season (2-7), especially at home where they have a 1-4 record. The right-handed Peralta will take the mound against the Reds, who have a 4-4 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN, O/U – Under
Notes
The Reds lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Brewers are 1-1. The Reds are 4-2 in close games this season.
When they lead after 7 innings, both Milwaukee and Cincinnati have a 1-2 record.
The Brewers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Reds who are coming in with a 1-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Brewers are 1-9. The Reds have a 2-4 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Milwaukee has hit three this season. Cincinnati ranks 15th with 11 home runs.
Milwaukee and Cincinnati both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Milwaukee sits at 13th with 7.27 hits per game and Cincinnati ranks 12th with 7.45.
Ranking 30th, Milwaukee is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.570). Cincinnati ranks near the bottom at 26th with an OPS of .615.
The Reds are 4-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Brewers are 0-7 when they allow at least one homer.
