MLB

MLB Predictions: Will Cardinals vs. Reds go over total? 9/21/17

Cardinals vs Reds

Will tonight’s Cardinals and Reds game go over the betting total at 7:10PM ET?

The Odds: Cardinals at Reds, 7:10PM ET, Great American Ballpark

According to oddsmakers, St. Louis is a -150 money line favorite to beat Cincinnati tonight. That makes the Reds a +140 money line underdog to pull off the upset. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 9 before dropping slightly to 8.5.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards will send their ace Carlos Martinez to hill tonight against their divisional foes. Martinez was charged with seven runs over 5 1/3 innings in Friday’s loss to the Cubs. He looked dominant early on, retiring the first 10 batters he faced. Things suddenly got hairy for him after that, though. Kris Bryant homered with one out in the fourth, and a runner was thrown out at home to end the frame and keep the game tied. Martinez then came unglued in the sixth, allowing three hits and two walks and ultimately being charged with six runs that frame.

It was a bad time to have arguably his worst start of the season, as the Cardinals are now four games back of the Cubs in the National League Central.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds will counter with Homer Bailey tonight to at least earn one victory in this series. Bailey earned a rare win by holding the Pirates to one run in 5 2/3 innings on Friday. He punched out seven batters, walked two and surrendered five base hits in one of his best outings of what has been a rough season. The veteran has struggled to regain his form after spending two-and-a-half years recovering from multiple arm surgeries. He is now 5-8 with a gruesome 6.86 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in 16 starts.

Our Prediction:

Martinez is currently battling the flu and was sent home following the Chicago series last weekend. Martinez, as previously mentioned, was shelled for seven earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in his last start and has been inconsistent at times this season. The over is 4-1 in his last five road starts and 6-2 in his last eight outings after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.

On the other side, the over is 4-1 in Bailey’s last five starts coming off five days of rest and is 7-2 in his last nine outings against National League Central rivals. The Cards’ offense is hot and should shell Bailey, contributing to the over.

MLB Thursday Prediction: Cardinals/Reds over 8.5

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