In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Keyvius Sampson (2-4, 6.94 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (60-82) are in San Francisco to take on Tim Hudson (7-8, 4.51 ERA) and the Giants (75-68). This is the first of a three-game series at AT&T Park. Action begins at 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 14 and can be seen on FSOH and CSBy.
Hudson pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run and striking out four in a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Buster Posey (.329, 68 Rs, 17 HRs, 85 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run and two RBIs. Sampson went 5.1 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out four and walking three in a 5-4 defeat to the Pirates in his last outing. Joey Votto (.315, 87 Rs, 27 HRs, 72 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
San Francisco is a -154 favorite against Cincinnati and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Giants have an overall money line of +84 and a record as the favorite of 42-29. San Francisco is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 5-5 SU record in its last ten outings. San Francisco strikes out the least of any team in the NL at home, with only 6.7 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to AT&T Park have been stifled by the Giants, who have a team ERA of only 3.08 at home. The Giants are the top team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.9 hits per contest to their opponents this season.
Over in the other dugout, Cincinnati is coming in with an overall money line of -1,871 and a disappointing record of 31-56 as the underdog. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 5-2 record, and a 6-4 record SU. Offensively, the Reds have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 5.2 during that stretch. The Reds are an excellent base-stealing team with an MLB-best 127 stolen bases.
The Giants lead the season series, 3-1. The Giants have a 56-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Sampson takes the mound. Hudson (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 46-60 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
Cincinnati has won 38% (20-32) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, San Francisco has won 62% (35-21) 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 Giants who are heading in with an 8-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 46-16. The Giants have a 66-11 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 23rd, Cincinnati sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 576 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top half at 11th with 619.
Ranking 17th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 399 this season. Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 447.
The Giants are 52-24 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Reds are 51-39 when they hit at least one homer.
