Cincinnati
has started off the second half in perfect fashion, taking all three games from
the Cardinals. How will they follow up the sweep of the Cards?
Tonight, they stay home to play Arizona as favorites in game one.
Tonight they can be backed at -131 at 5Dimes to win once
again while a visiting Arizona club is priced at +121. The total varies
depending on the sportsbooks, with most sites offering up either 8.5 or 9.
The weather forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies
alongside temperatures in the high 80s. There should only be a mild wind
tonight.
Great American Ball Park has been home to some
high-scoring games this season. The park is in the top ten in runs scored and second behind only Miller Park in Milwaukee in home runs logged as well.
Bronson Arroyo – Cincinnati Reds
Arroyo has had an up and down season but, for the most part, he's been one of the Reds' more reliable starters. He's 4-5 with a 3.73 ERA with
74 strikeouts and 18 walks.
Most of Arroyo's struggles came in the month of June when he
posted a poor ERA of 5.23 in five starts. He's been a heck of a lot better in
the early stages of July, though, surrendering only two runs in 15 innings of
work. In the process, he's lowered his ERA from 4.19 to 3.73.
Arroyo closed out the first half with a completely dominant
performance in his last start. He pitched a complete game three-hitter in a 6-0
win over San Diego, while whiffing eight batters and walking only one.
In two starts versus the Diamondbacks last year, the
right-hander went 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA, logging 12.1 IP and striking out 14 with
only one walk.
Wade Miley – Arizona Diamondbacks
In only his second season in the bigs, Miley has transformed
into one of the better starters in the National League.
The lefty's taken huge strides from his rookie year and is
already 9-5 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Last season, he was 4-2 with a 4.50
ERA and 1.65 WHIP in seven starts.
To close out the first half, Miley struggled in his final
two starts. First, he gave up eight hits and eight earned runs, failing to even
get out of the third inning in a blowout loss to Milwaukee. He then was tagged
for eight hits and four runs in a home defeat against the Dodgers.
Miley, who's 3-3 with a 3.40 ERA in eight road starts this
season, has never pitched against the Reds in his short career.
MLB Pick
This is a tough call. Looking at each team's records, we see
that Arizona owns a 19-25 record on the road while Cincinnati's an excellent
26-16 at home.
The Diamondbacks have lost five of their last six away from
Arizona, including a miserable sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. They
managed only three total runs at Wrigley.
Regardless, we feel a little more confident in Miley than we
do Arroyo. Though he's one of the craftier pitchers around, Arroyo's been in
this league for a while and Arizona's hitters have gotten a good look at him in
the past. Aaron Hill, Miguel Montero, Stephen Drew and Willie Bloomquist are
all batting at least .300 against the Cincy starter in their careers.
Meanwhile, the Reds haven't had any experience against Miley
and we think that may play in to his hands. We're going to be barking tonight.
Prediction: Play
the Arizona Diamondbacks at +121.