The streaking Giants, who assumed the NL West throne with yesterday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, welcome NL Central leader Cincinnati to the Bay Area tonight. Start time in this evening’s Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants series opener at AT&T Park is set for 10:15pm ET. MLB Thursday Odds have San Francisco listed as a -123 moneyline favorite; the Over/Under in tonight’s contest is set at six runs. Cincinnati, a -230 run line favorite ($230 to win $100), is drawing +113 odds to pull off the upset.
The Reds, losers in six of their last 10 games, enter this evening’s meeting with Giants clinging to a two game lead over the Pirates and Cardinals in the NL Central. Cincinnati, at 41-33, is coming off a 2-1 series win over the division rival Brewers, though.
The Reds took games one and two 3-1 and 4-3 respectively, but they were shelled in yesterday’s finale, falling 8-4 after starter Homer Bailey yielded seven hits and four earned runs in the first four innings of play.
Staff ace Johnny Cueto will look to avoid a Bailey-like performance tonight as he makes his 16th start of the season. Cueto, who is 9-3 with a 2.21 ERA, has been brilliant in his last three outings, allowing just 15 hits and two earned runs while striking out 24 over 23 innings. The 26 year old right hander earned the win in all three games as the Reds outscored the opposition 16-2.
San Francisco, which improved to 43-33 after completing yesterday’s sweep of the Dodgers, will look to match Cueto with southpaw Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner sports an impressive 3.10 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, but he has been prone to the occasional shaky start. The three year veteran experienced one his last time out, giving up 11 hits and four earned over six innings, but the Giants still won the game 9-8 over Bay Area rival Oakland.
The Giants, who did not allow a single run in their home sweep opposite Los Angeles, are 4-1 in Bumgarner’s last five starts; they are 5-1 in his six appearances at AT&T Park this season.
MLB Thursday Betting Trend: San Francisco is 12-1 in its last 13 games as a home favorite with Bumgarner on the hill. The lone loss in that stretch came on May 16th, 2012 when the Giants fell 4-1 to the Cardinals.
MLB Thursday Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants Odds
Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-230), Over 6 (-110), +113 (Moneyline)
San Francisco Giants -1.5 (+190), Under 6 (-110), -123 (Moneyline)
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