MLB Betting: Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Pick: August 17th 2010

The Reds were dropped out of first in the National League Central division but they’ve won three straight games to regain the top spot. A three-game series against the bottom-dwelling Arizona Diamondbacks could be what Cincinnati needs to give some breathing room between them and second place St. Louis Cardinals. Arizona is near the bottom of the money standings having cost baseball bettors -21.13 units on the moneyline and another -16.50 on the runline.
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The line for tonight’s game is closer than their records would suggest with the MLB odds setting the Reds as -115 favorites, the comeback on the Diamondbacks is -105 and the game total is set at 9 runs.

The Reds were bounced from first by the St. Louis Cardinals in a series that had as much animosity as anything the Yankees and Red Sox ever had. Players were kicked out after a bench clearing brawl, there was genuine hate happening and as it happens in these situations, the team that fired the first shot had their butts handed to them. It all began with Brandon Phillips calling the Cardinals a bunch of whiney B’s (I’m paraphrasing). The Cardinals came out motivated and took all three games from the Reds.

The Reds took their lumps but bounced back with a sweep of their own against the Florida Marlins to retake the top spot. Until the Brandon Phillips comment, the rivalry and race in the NL Central was the best story that nobody was talking about.

On the mound tonight for the Reds is Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo has been solid but not spectacular with a 12-7 record and a 3.94 ERA. His numbers have been excellent on road over the past six starts, as Arroyo is 4-1 with 1.90 ERA.

The Diamondbacks have been showing improvement lately, and they just finished a seven game road trip where they won four games. It’s a marked improvement over early in the season but they are still 25 games under .500.

Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks is Daniel Hudson. Hudson was acquired from the White Sox at the trade deadline and it’s been so far so good for the young right-hander. Since the trade he’s 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA including a 7 inning, 8-2 win over the Brewers, he struck out nine in the win.

Both players have been excellent lately, and if Hudson can keep his fine pitching ways about him and combine that with Arroyo’s hot road streak, this game should stay way under the nine run baseball betting total.

MLB Betting Free Pick – Cincinnati Reds/Arizona Diamondbacks Under 9 Runs
Source: BetUS Locker Room Featured on: Handicapperspicks.com

Related posts:

1. MLB Prediction: Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals: June 6th 2010
2. MLB Picks: Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds & Prediction: July 16th 2010
3. MLB Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: April 21st 2010