Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds 7/26/2014 Free MLB Picks & Predictions
by Guy Bruhn - 7/25/2014
July 26, 2014, 4:05 PM on FS1, MASN, FSOH
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
Washington Nationals - Gonzalez, G (6-5) vs. Cincinnati Reds - Cueto, J (10-6)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
Saturday afternoon, the Washington Nationals will send Gio Gonzalez to the hill to face the Cincinnati reds and Johnny Cueto. It will be the 16 th start for Gonzalez and the 22nd for Cueto.
Gio Gonzalez escaped with a no-decision in his last outing and that froze his record at 6 - 5 with a 3.74 ERA. In that start, Gonzalez gave up 3 runs and 4 hits in just 4.1 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 5 as he threw 88 pitches. Gonzalez has looked shaky in his last 2 starts and it is strange because he had won 3 straight without allowing a single run prior to these two rough outings. If he can figure out what's wrong, he should have a chance to match his win total from last season when he finished 11 - 8 with a 3.36 ERA in 32 starts.
In 2013, Gonzalez beat the Reds in his only start against them after holding Cincinnati to just a solo home run in 8 innings of work. Overall, the Reds are batting just .188 against Gonzalez with 13 hits, a homer and 6 RBIs in 69 at-bats.
Johnny Cueto was lucky to get away with a no-decision in his last start and he comes into this one with a 10 - 6 record and a 2.18 ERA. The last time out, Cueto gave up 2 runs and 5 hits in 5 innings of work. He struck out 7 but walked 4 while throwing 112 pitches. It was a rare bad start in recent weeks for Cueto who had gone 4 - 1 in his last 5 starts. Last season, Cueto only started 11 games en route to a 5 - 2 record and a 2.82 ERA.
In 2013, Cueto got the victory in his only outing against the Nationals after allowing 3 runs and 7 hits (including a home run) in 6 innings. In his only start against Washington this season, Cueto took the loss after giving up 8 runs on 6 hits in 5.1 innings.
Washington Nationals Betting Trends
Washington Nationals are 49-41-9 against the Over/Under
Run Differential for Washington Nationals is 0.7
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
Cincinnati Reds are 45-53-3 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Cincinnati Reds is 0.1
Injuries to Watch
Washington Nationals
07/23/14 LF Ryan Zimmerman Hamstring 15-day DL (7/22)
05/16/14 CF Eury Perez Toe 60-day DL (5/15)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)
Cincinnati Reds
07/23/14 SS Zack Cozart Hand questionable
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)
03/28/14 3B Jack Hannahan Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
Guy's Pick: Take Cincinnati
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