Monday, August 18, 2014

Busch Stadium in St. Louis

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds will put the ball in the hands of Mike Leake (9 – 11, 3.59 ERA) as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals and Justin Masterson (6 – 7, 5.58 ERA). Leake makes his 26th start and Masterson makes his 23rd.

Mike Leake dropped his 2nd straight game in his last start.  In that loss, Leake surrendered 5 runs and 8 hits (including a home run) in 5 innings of work.  He walked a batter and struck out 3.  Leake has been a model of consistency as he seems to win a few or lose a few in streaks.   In his last 10 starts he is 4 - 5.  Last season, Leake was much better as he posted a 14 – 7 record with a 3.37 ERA in 31 starts.

In 2013, Leake was 0 – 2 with an 8.27 ERA in 3 starts against the Cardinals.  This season, Leake is 1 – 1 in 2 starts against St. Louis.

Justin Masterson turned in a solid start in his last outing and he took home a win for his efforts.  In 7 shutout innings of work, Masterson gave up just 3 hits and no walks while striking out 3.  It was one of his better starts of the season and his best since coming to St. Louis from Cleveland.   Masterson is 4 - 3 in his last 10 trips to the mound.  Last season, Masterson finished with a 14 – 10 record and a 3.45 ERA in 29 starts and 3 relief appearances for the Indians.

In 2013, Masterson beat the Reds in his only start against them after holding Cincinnati to a run (on a solo homer) and 4 hits in 6 innings.   Cincinnati is batting just .198 against Masterson with 17 hits, 3 homers and 8 RBIs in 86 at-bats.              

Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends

Cincinnati Reds are 53-64-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0.2

St Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

St Louis Cardinals are 52-62-6 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis Cardinals is -0.1

Injuries to Watch

Cincinnati Reds

08/15/14 P Homer Bailey Elbow out indefinitely
08/07/14 P Logan Ondrusek Shoulder 15-day DL (7/13)
07/10/14 2B Brandon Phillips Thumb 15-day DL (7/9)
07/08/14 1B Joey Votto Quad 15-day DL (7/1)
06/21/14 P Trevor Bell Elbow 60-day DL (4/08)
06/14/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 60-day DL (6/13)

St Louis Cardinals

08/08/14 P Jason Motte Back 15-day DL (8/1)
07/10/14 C Yadier Molina Thumb 15-day DL (7/9)
07/06/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 60-day DL (6/24), out for season
06/23/14 P Michael Wacha Shoulder 60-day DL (6/21)
05/13/14 P Tyler Lyons Shoulder 15-day DL (5/12)

Josh's Pick: Take Cincinnati

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