MLB Predictions: Will Cardinals upset Reds on Saturday night? 8/5/17
Will the Cardinals upset the Reds on Saturday night when the National League Central rivals meet at 7:10PM ET?
The Matchup: Cardinals vs. Reds, 7:10PM ET, Great American Ball Park
St. Louis enters play having dropped five of its last 10 games to fall to 53-56 on the season. The Cardinals have really struggled on the road this season, going 22-30 away from Busch Stadium. They lost the first game in this series 3-2 on Friday night.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, has dropped six of its last 10 games despite beating St. Louis last night at home. The Reds are 45-64 on the year and own a losing record at 26-28 at home this season.
According to oddsmakers, the Reds are -125 money line favorites to win tonight at home. That makes the cardinals +105 money line underdogs to pull off the upset in Cincinnati. The total, meanwhile, sits at 9 runs, down from the original number of 9.5.
The Pitching Matchup:
Lynn picked up the win in his last start, a 3-2 victory over the Diamondbacks on July 30. He pitched six innings of two-run ball, scattered four hits and walked five. Lynn is now 9-6 on the year and owns a 3.20 ERA.
On the other side, Castillo is 2-4 and owns a 3.56 ERA. He too won in his last start, which came in Miami on June 30. He pitched eight innings of one-run ball against the Marlins while scattering three hits on the day. Castillo also struck out six and walked just one in the performance.
Our Prediction:
The Cardinals have won four of Lynn’s last five starts and are 11-5 in his last 16 starts against the Reds. St. Louis generally struggles versus Cincinnati, but Lynn has been one of their best starters on the season.
The Reds, meanwhile, are just 6-15 in their last 21 games overall, are 3-9 in their last 12 home games, and are 5-11 in their last 15 games versus an opponent with a losing record.
Saturday MLB Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals +105