PREMIUM
Rogers' 3-Game SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Cincinnati vs. Arizona,
Money Line: -131.00 Arizona (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -131.00 Arizona (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Arizona Diamondbacks opened the season by winning 24 of their first 35 games but as Memorial Day dawns, Arizona opens a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds having lost 15 of its last 17 games, after going 1-8 on the team's just-completed road trip. Once 13 games over .500, the Diamondbacks now are sitting at 26-26 but fortunately, only 1 1/2 games back of the first-place Rockies in the NL West. The Red fired Byan Price after a woeful 3-15 start and they have played better under interim manager Jim Riggleman. However, let's not get too carried away. Cincinnati lost two of three to the Rockies over the weekend after Sunday's 8-2 loss and while the Reds are much more respectable 16-20 under Riggleman, they are just 19-35 overall, giving them the NL's worst record (Reds are 15 out of first in the NL Central).
The pitching matchup: Homer Bailey (1-6, 6.21 ERA) gets the nod for Cincy and rookie Matt Koch (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will take the mound for Arizona. Bailey's dismal season continued oin his last start, Wednesday, when he allowed four runs on 10 hits and three walks in five-plus innings against Pittsburgh last Wednesday in a 5-4 team loss. He has recorded only one win in 11 starts this season (the Reds are 1-10 in those starts!) and owns a 9-19 record and 6.33 ERA over his last four injury-plagued seasons. Bailey is 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA in five career starts versus Arizona, including a 1-1 mark and 4.70 ERA in two outings at Chase Field. Koch suffered his third straight loss Tuesday against Milwaukee despite allowing just one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He has struggled to keep the ball in the park, giving up a total of eight HRs over his last five starts. Koch has posted a 4.55 ERA in five starts at home compared to a 2.03 mark in three games (two starts) away from Chase Field.
The pick: It's hard to make a strong case for the rookie Koch (D'backs are 3-4 in his starts in 2018) or Arizona, which is on a 2-15 run. However, it's impossible to back Bailey, as the Reds are 1-10 in his 11 starts (minus-$848 vs. the moneyline) in 2018. He's got a 1.69 WHIP and .314 BAA, to go along with that ugly 6.21 ERA. Make Arizona an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Homer Bailey (1-6, 6.21 ERA) gets the nod for Cincy and rookie Matt Koch (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will take the mound for Arizona. Bailey's dismal season continued oin his last start, Wednesday, when he allowed four runs on 10 hits and three walks in five-plus innings against Pittsburgh last Wednesday in a 5-4 team loss. He has recorded only one win in 11 starts this season (the Reds are 1-10 in those starts!) and owns a 9-19 record and 6.33 ERA over his last four injury-plagued seasons. Bailey is 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA in five career starts versus Arizona, including a 1-1 mark and 4.70 ERA in two outings at Chase Field. Koch suffered his third straight loss Tuesday against Milwaukee despite allowing just one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He has struggled to keep the ball in the park, giving up a total of eight HRs over his last five starts. Koch has posted a 4.55 ERA in five starts at home compared to a 2.03 mark in three games (two starts) away from Chase Field.
The pick: It's hard to make a strong case for the rookie Koch (D'backs are 3-4 in his starts in 2018) or Arizona, which is on a 2-15 run. However, it's impossible to back Bailey, as the Reds are 1-10 in his 11 starts (minus-$848 vs. the moneyline) in 2018. He's got a 1.69 WHIP and .314 BAA, to go along with that ugly 6.21 ERA. Make Arizona an 8* play.
