Thursday, April 3, 12:35 PM on FSMW, FSOH

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

St Louis - Lynn, L (0-0) vs. Cincinnati - Bailey, H (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The debut of Bryan Price wasn't successful in the win/loss column as a 7th inning HR by Yadier Molina lifted the Cardinals over Cincinnati 1-0 in the opener of this series. The Cardinals look to capture the last game before continuing their season opening road streak against another division rival in Pittsburgh.

Lance Lynn has been named the 3rd starter in Mike Matheny's deep rotation and gets the ball for the first time of the year on Thursday. Lynn reached double-figure losses for the first time in 2013 going 15-10 despite the Cardinals' overall record of 97-65. Lynn was 18-7 in 2012 so last year's numbers look to be a setback as his ERA also climbed to 3.97. Those struggles continued this Spring with Lynn posting an ERA of 6.06 while allowing 11 ER in 16.1 IP but at the same time striking out 27. In 5 starts a year ago Lynn went 3-1 including two games in which he struck out 10 and 11 batters. Despite being in the same division the Reds only have a combined 89 AB against Lynn posting a .292 batting average.

The Reds send Homer Bailey to the mound in the first season of his 6-year, $105 million contract. Bailey earned a lot of money despite posting double-digit losses in each of the last two seasons including going just 11-12 last season. Bailey pitched just 9 innings this Spring in 3 starts while allowing 2 HR and 2 BB. He pitched back-to-back shutouts the last two times he faced the Cardinals last season to even his season record to 2-2 against the Redbirds.

St Louis Trends

The total has gone OVER in 10 of St. Louis's last 14 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 12 games when playing Cincinnati

Cincinnati Trends

The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cincinnati's last 14 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cincinnati's last 12 games when playing St. Louis

Injuries to Watch

St Louis

03/31/14 2B Mark Ellis Knee 15-day DL (3/27)
03/30/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 15-day DL
03/28/14 P Jason Motte Elbow expected to miss a month

Cincinnati 

03/31/14 P Aroldis Chapman Concussion 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 C Devin Mesoraco Oblique 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 3B Jack Hannahan Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Jonathan Broxton Forearm 15-day DL (3/22)
03/28/14 P Mat Latos Knee 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Sean Marshall Shoulder 15-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 2B Skip Schumaker Shoulder 15-day DL (3/22)

Josh's Pick: Take St. Louis

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