Thursday, August 28, 2014

Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs will take the field behind Jake Arrieta (7 – 4, 2.52 ERA) as they face the Cincinnati Reds and Dylan Axelrod (0 – 0, 3.00 ERA).  Arrieta makes his 21st start as Axelrod makes his 2nd.

Jake Arrieta was impressive his last time out and that performance earned him the victory.  In the winning effort, Arrieta surrendered just a run (on a solo homer) and 4 hits in 7 innings. He walked a batter and struck out 5.  The victory was Arrieta’s first since the end of July.  In recent weeks, his performances have had mixed results and that explains his 3 – 3 record in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Arrieta was 5 – 4 with a 4.78 ERA in 14 starts for the Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles.

Arrieta didn’t face the Reds last season but he has a start against them earlier this season.  In that outing, Arrieta got the victory after holding Cincinnati to 2 runs and 3 hits in 7 innings.

Dylan Axelrod will make this start after getting recalled from Triple-A Louisville.  Axelrod just made a start for the Reds less than 2 weeks ago.  In that outing, he pitched to a no-decision after allowing 2 runs (on 2 solo home runs) and 7 hits in 6 innings of work. He walked a batter and struck out 7.  While at Triple-A this season, Axelrod posted a record of 8 – 9 with a 4.01 ERA in 22 starts and 2 relief appearances.  Last season, Axelrod made 20 starts and 10 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox and compiled a record of 4 – 11 with a 5.68 ERA.

Axelrod has never faced the Cubs as a team but he has seen 3 of their hitters before.  Luis Valbuena is 0 for 2 against Axelrod, Chris Coghlan is 1 for 3 and Justin Ruggiano is 1 for 2 with an RBI.         

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 63-60-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.4

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

Cincinnati Reds are 59-67-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

08/25/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle questionable
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/20/14 SS Starlin Castro Personal out indefinitely
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
07/31/14 P Felix Doubront Calf 15-day DL (7/31)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Cincinnati Reds

08/18/14 P Homer Bailey Elbow 15-day DL (8/8)
08/17/14 1B Joey Votto Quad 60-day DL (7/1)
08/07/14 P Logan Ondrusek Shoulder 15-day DL (7/13)
06/21/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 60-day DL (4/08)
06/14/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 60-day DL (6/13)

Tony's Pick: Take Cincinnati

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink