The Phillies will look to push their win streak to eight games against the Reds on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Let’s take a closer look at this NL contest from a betting perspective.
Philadelphia continues to dominate
Cincinnati at CBP
The Philadelphia Phillies captured a
12-5 home victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at Citizens Bank
Park, pushing the club’s record to 12-1 in this series since 2010. The
Phillies have compiled an impressive 21-9 all-time record against the Reds
inside this venue since opening during the 2004 campaign. Tonight’s
visitor still holds a comfortable 6.5-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates in
the National League Central division, but have alternated wins and losses over
its last four contests.
Lee has failed to secure a victory
in front of the home fans
Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey
(10-8, 4.16 ERA) has lost two of this last three outings, allowing four earned
runs in each effort, which includes an 8-4 setback at home to the New York Mets
last time out. The right-hander is 7-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 11 road
outings, surrendering just four home runs in 74 combined frames. In five
career starts versus the Phillies, Bailey has registered an 0-3 record and 5.88
ERA, including an 0-2 mark and 7.00 ERA in four appearances at this ballpark.
Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.83 ERA) is still
looking for his first home victory of the year, posting an 0-5 record and 4.59
ERA in nine efforts in the City of Brotherly Love. Despite the club
winning three of his last five outings, the left-hander has been victimized by
the long ball, serving up 11 home runs in that span. In 10 career starts
versus the Reds, Lee has tallied a solid 6-2 mark and 4.04 ERA, including wins
in all three of his appearances in the series since 2010.
Betting odds favor the host
Sports bettors will want to keep a
close watch on the MLB betting odds for this matchup, as the Phillies are 8-4
as a home favorite of -150 to -175, while the Reds have lost five of eight
games as a road underdog of +125 to +150.
Bruce does his best work in
Philadelphia
Reds outfielder Jay Bruce went a
perfect 3 for 3 from the plate in last night’s loss, pushing his batting
average to .481 over his last six games at this venue. He may cool off a
bit in this affair, hitting just .238 against left-handed pitching this year,
while also collecting just three hits in 13 career at-bats against Lee.
Prediction
I recommend placing your baseball picks on the total in
this contest, as the OVER has cashed in six straight meetings in Philadelphia. The Phillies have also gone above the number in 10 of Lee’s last 12 starts,
while the Reds have done the same in Bailey’s last four road outings.
Free MLB Pick: Over 8