Monday, April 21, 7:05 PM on ESPN, F17

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cincinnati - Leake, M (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh - Liriano, F (0-3)

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The National League Central, once a division that was considered the laughingstock of Major League Baseball is suddenly one of the strongest. Two of the best teams in the division will play at PNC Park on Monday night when the Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Cincinnati Reds to town. Getting the ball for the Reds will be right hander Mike Leake, while left hander Francisco Liriano will get the ball for the Pirates.

The 26-year-old Leake is one of the best pitchers for the Reds and will head into his 4th start of the season with a 44-30 career record. In 3 starts this year, he has allowed 7 earned runs on 14 hits and 5 walks with 14 strikeouts recorded in 21 1/3 innings. He is currently 2-1 this season and will look to shut down their division rival. Andrew McCutchen has had great success off Leake (10-for-43, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs), as has Russell Martin (9-for-22, 1 home run, 4 RBIs), and Neil Walker has gone 10-for-31 with 1 home run and 11 RBIs.

Liriano will be making his 5th start of the season and will be hoping to turn things around. He is currently 0-3 and while he has a respectable 3.96 ERA, has only received 4 total runs of support. The lack of run support will make it difficult for him to get victories, but he has done well in his career against the Reds and will look to get his 1st win Monday night.

Cincinnati Betting Trends

Cincinnati is 8-8-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Cincinnati is +0.4

Pittsburgh Betting Trends

Pittsburgh is 9-7-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh is +0.1

Injuries to Watch

Cincinnati

04/09/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 15-day DL (4/08)
04/02/14 P Brett Marshall Finger 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 P Aroldis Chapman Concussion 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 3B Jack Hannahan Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Mat Latos Knee 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 2B Skip Schumaker Shoulder 15-day DL (3/22)

Pittsburgh

04/20/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Rest questionable

Guy's Pick: Take Cincinnati

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