Saturday, August 30, 2014

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, Alfredo Simon (13 – 8, 3.26 ERA) takes the hill for the Cincinnati Reds as they face Vance Worley (5 – 4, 3.14 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Simon makes his 27th start as Worley makes his 13th start and 14th appearance.

Alfredo Simon ended a 5 game losing streak by picking up the win in his last start.  In the win, Simon allowed just a run on 5 hits in 7 innings.  He walked a batter and struck out 6. The win was the first for Simon since mid-July.   He is just 3 – 5 in his last 10 starts.  In 2013, Simon worked primarily out of the bullpen and compiled a record of 6-4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 63 appearances.

Last season, Simon was 0 – 3 with a 4.38 ERA in 9 appearances against the Pirates.  But this season, he is 2 -0 in 2 starts against Pittsburgh.

Vance Worley dropped his 3rd straight game in his last outing.  In 6.1 innings of work, Worley allowed 4 runs on a season-high 12 hits.  He walked a batter and struck out 5. Worley has given up at least 4 runs in each of his 3 recent losses.  The losing streak has dropped his record to 3 - 4 in his last 10 starts.   In 2013, Worley started 10 games for the Minnesota Twins and posted a record of 1 – 5 with a 7.21 ERA. 

Worley didn’t face the Reds last season but he has a relief appearance against them this season.  In 2 innings of work, Worley was torched for 2 runs and 4 hits (including a home run).     

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

Cincinnati Reds are 60-68-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-63-8 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

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)

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/27/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot questionable
08/27/14 RF Travis Snider Hamstring questionable
08/18/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 15-day DL (8/16)
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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