PREMIUM
Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER (DAY GAME) >> Won Yday's (Astros)
(MLB) Cincinnati vs. San Francisco,
Money Line: -156.00 San Francisco (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -156.00 San Francisco (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: San Francisco won its third straight game with Tuesday's 5-3 victory over Cincinnati, moving one game over .500 at 22-21. First baseman Brandon Belt homered and shortstop Brandon Crawford went 4-for-4 in the win. Hunter Strickland worked a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save and has made a strong case to continue as the team's closer even after Mark Melancon (forearm) returns at the end of the month. Cincinnati opened 3-15 and fired manager Bryan Price. They have played much better under interim manager Jim Riggleman, going 11-14 with second baseman Scooter Gennett and third baseman Eugenio Suarez leading the resurgence. Suarez went 2-for-3 with a two-run HRwhile batting third in Tuesday's loss and has a team-high 30 RBI in just 27 games. The Giants look to complete a three-game home sweep today at AT&T Park.
The pitching matchup: The Reds will hand the ball to the newly-acquired Matt Harvey (0-2, 6.10 ERA), while the Giants go with lefty Andrew Suarez (1-2, 4.57 ERA). Harvey was acquired from the New York Mets last week and looks to build on his impressive Cincy debut. Harvey gave up one hit, struck out two and walked none over four innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. "It's a good first start," he told reporters. "It's only four innings. There's a lot of work and a lot of season left. But to go out there and get outs and help the team win is very important." However, Harvey is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in three career starts versus San Francisco. In contrast, Suarez is looking to bounce back from a rough outing last Friday against Pittsburgh, giving up five runs on seven hits over just four innings. However, he was sharp in his previous two starts, allowing a total of three runs (two earned) with 11 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings. Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier this month to replace Johnny Cueto (elbow) in the rotation and owns a 23-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his four starts.
The pick: Suarez, a rookie, has never faced the Reds which seems like a better resume than Harvey's poor record against the Giants (see above). After struggling so badly for the New York Mets that they designated him for assignment, prompted a trade to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco, Harvey retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced in Los Angeles, allowing only one hit. I guess one could take the position that "the exception" is the rule but not I. I'll note that Harvey made 19 appearances (18 starts) for the Mets in 2017, posting a 6.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP, while allowing opponents to hit .381! In eight 2018 appearances for the Mets (four starts) he owned a 7.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, while opponents batted .355. I expect a San Francisco sweep. Make the Giants an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: The Reds will hand the ball to the newly-acquired Matt Harvey (0-2, 6.10 ERA), while the Giants go with lefty Andrew Suarez (1-2, 4.57 ERA). Harvey was acquired from the New York Mets last week and looks to build on his impressive Cincy debut. Harvey gave up one hit, struck out two and walked none over four innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. "It's a good first start," he told reporters. "It's only four innings. There's a lot of work and a lot of season left. But to go out there and get outs and help the team win is very important." However, Harvey is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in three career starts versus San Francisco. In contrast, Suarez is looking to bounce back from a rough outing last Friday against Pittsburgh, giving up five runs on seven hits over just four innings. However, he was sharp in his previous two starts, allowing a total of three runs (two earned) with 11 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings. Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier this month to replace Johnny Cueto (elbow) in the rotation and owns a 23-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his four starts.
The pick: Suarez, a rookie, has never faced the Reds which seems like a better resume than Harvey's poor record against the Giants (see above). After struggling so badly for the New York Mets that they designated him for assignment, prompted a trade to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco, Harvey retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced in Los Angeles, allowing only one hit. I guess one could take the position that "the exception" is the rule but not I. I'll note that Harvey made 19 appearances (18 starts) for the Mets in 2017, posting a 6.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP, while allowing opponents to hit .381! In eight 2018 appearances for the Mets (four starts) he owned a 7.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, while opponents batted .355. I expect a San Francisco sweep. Make the Giants an 8* play.
