MLB Baseball
2013-05-18 - Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: MLB Baseball
Saturday 18 May 2013 - First Pitch 4:05pm
9:05pm (British Time)
Preview
The Philadelphia Phillies (20-22) were swept by the Cincinnati Reds (25-17) earlier this season, but they got this second series off to a good start with a win in game one. Now they send their most productive starting pitcher to the mound to help win this series and take another step closer to getting back to 0.500 for the season.
Despite having some of the biggest name pitchers in the Major Leagues, it is one of their more unsung starters that has helped Philadelphia put up the wins. Kyle Kendrick is 4-1 for the season and he has a 2.47 ERA, but he has improved since his first start of the season that was a loss.
The pitcher has a 1.84 ERA in his last seven games after losing his first start of the season and he has allowed 4 runs in his last 14 innings pitched for Philadelphia.
Kendrick has a 1.37 ERA in his three games against the Cincinnati Reds, but he is yet to pick up a win against them including earlier this season when he held the Reds scoreless through seven innings. However, he was given no run support and eventually the bullpen were responsible for a 1-0 loss in that game.
Cincinnati will counter by sending Bronson Arroyo to the mound and he brings in a 3-4 record and a 3.76 ERA, while he is coming off a strong outing. Arroyo had just about seven scoreless innings in his last game after previously being responsible for a 5.50 ERA during a three game losing run.
Arroyo has picked up the decision in the last two games against Philadelphia which has snapped a six game losing run against them.
Head to Head
Cincinnati are 4-2 in their last 6 games against Philadelphia and they lead the season series 3-1.
Philadelphia have won their last 2 home games against the Reds.
Prediction
This will be a tight game, but I have a feeling the Philadelphia Phillies can outlast the Cincinnati Reds to record their second win in a row.
The Pick :
Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Cincinnati Reds
