This is a 10* BLOWOUT BEATDOWN on the Cincinnati Reds.

These teams have split the first two games of this series. The Cards won 7-1 yesterday, but this is a starting pitching matchup which highly favors Cincinnati this afternoon.

The Reds are 6.5 games back of the Cubs, but only two games back of the Cards. St. Louis goes with the volatile Carlos Martinez (0-2, 12.27 ERA) who was shelled for four runs off seven hits over three innings in a 7-3 loss to the Twins in his first start since testing postive for Coronoa.

Tyler Mahle (1-2, 3.89) counters for the Reds and he faced the Cards back on September 2nd, allowing three runs over seven innings in what turned out to be a 4-3 Cincinnati victory.

Mahle enters on top form as well, allowing eight runs over his last 20 2/3's innings, most recently striking out ten in what turned out to be an unfortunate 3-0 loss to the Cubs.

Also note that slugger Mike Moustakas is expected back in the line-up today for the visitors.

I like Mahle for sure and think he's under-valued in this matchup.

The play is the REDS!

Good luck, NP