PREMIUM
Rogers' Coach's Clinic -
(MLB) Texas vs. Cincinnati,
Money Line: -170.00 Texas (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -170.00 Texas (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Cincinnati Reds are 54-71, hopelessly 26 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. However, after Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rangers, the Reds own a 22-14 record and have captured eight of 11 series since the All-Star break. The Reds can make that nine of 12 with a win Wednesday at home vs. the Rangers, as the teams cap a brief two-game interleague series. The Rangers were blanked for the third time in nine games on Tuesday and have been outscored 19-6 during their current three-game skid. Still, Texas owns a 73-53 record, as well as a 5 1/2 game lead over Seattle in the AL West. The Rangers are also battling the 72-52 Indians plus the Blue Jays and Red Sox (both 71-54), for the AL's No. 1 seed.
The pitching matchup: Yu Darvish (4-3, 2.75 ERA) heads to the mound for Texas, opposed by Cincy's Tim Adleman (2-1, 2.96 ERA). Darvish will make his 11th start of the season on Wednesday night and will do so on six days rest. "It's a positive," Darvish told reporters last week via an interpreter. "I didn't feel like I needed it, but getting rest is beneficial for me." Darvish is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings in his last three starts and takes the mound on a run of six consecutive quality starts. Reds rookie Adleman will be making only his sixth career start and second since he was recalled from Triple-A on August 16.
The pick: Adleman's 9-2 win over the Dodgers last Friday was his first start in three months (last pitched in the majors back on May 19th). He was recalled from Triple-A when Michael Lorenzen went on the bereavement list and Adleman blanked the Dodgers on five hits over five innings, picking up his second major-league victory. He's 2-0 with a 2.03 in three home starts (Reds are 2-1) and this marks his first appearance against the Rangers. Darvish has begun to find a groove but the Rangers still plan to be careful with how they utilize their right-handed ace (hence, the six days' rest!). Darvish has been dominant in interleague play, posting a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts against the NL foes (he's 7-2). Darvish has yet to win away from home, despite a 2.66 ERA (he's 0-3 and the team 1-3). However, he's waaay overdue! Texas is a 6* play.
The pitching matchup: Yu Darvish (4-3, 2.75 ERA) heads to the mound for Texas, opposed by Cincy's Tim Adleman (2-1, 2.96 ERA). Darvish will make his 11th start of the season on Wednesday night and will do so on six days rest. "It's a positive," Darvish told reporters last week via an interpreter. "I didn't feel like I needed it, but getting rest is beneficial for me." Darvish is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings in his last three starts and takes the mound on a run of six consecutive quality starts. Reds rookie Adleman will be making only his sixth career start and second since he was recalled from Triple-A on August 16.
The pick: Adleman's 9-2 win over the Dodgers last Friday was his first start in three months (last pitched in the majors back on May 19th). He was recalled from Triple-A when Michael Lorenzen went on the bereavement list and Adleman blanked the Dodgers on five hits over five innings, picking up his second major-league victory. He's 2-0 with a 2.03 in three home starts (Reds are 2-1) and this marks his first appearance against the Rangers. Darvish has begun to find a groove but the Rangers still plan to be careful with how they utilize their right-handed ace (hence, the six days' rest!). Darvish has been dominant in interleague play, posting a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts against the NL foes (he's 7-2). Darvish has yet to win away from home, despite a 2.66 ERA (he's 0-3 and the team 1-3). However, he's waaay overdue! Texas is a 6* play.
