Sports Betting Overview
This is the opening game of what could be a very long series for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are already in trouble in the NL Central standings as they are five and half games out of first place and fading fast. Cincinnati has won only four of its last 10 games, and the team is currently on a three-game losing streak. The Reds have fallen to 50-54 which puts them almost out of the pennant race in the NL Central. So how does this MLB betting scenario get worse for the Reds? The Giants now have Carlos Beltran, and this will be his second game as a Giant. Beltran’s first game with the Giants was the last game of the Philadelphia series. Beltran and the Giants were still feeling each other out in that game. But by the time the Giants roll into Cincinnati, the Reds will have a completely comfortable Beltran to deal with.
The San Francisco Giants needed a bat to be able to contend in the post-season, and Beltran was the answer to their problems. The Giants other problem is the play of ace pitcher Tim Lincecum who is having one of his worst seasons as a pro. But San Francisco is hoping that Lincecum snaps out of it by playoff time, just as he did last year when he was so brilliant throughout the entire playoffs. The Giants offense is now a force to be reckoned with, and the Reds do not have the pitching to reckon with the re-vamped San Francisco offense.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds continue their downward spiral as they just got stomped by the New York Mets. Beltran was part of the Mets when New York was in Cincinnati, and now Cincinnati gets to see Beltran again as a Giant. Taking the mound for the Reds in this game will be Dontrelle Willis. Yes, that Dontrelle Willis. Willis is trying to make a comeback in his career, and he is starting to show signs of improvement. His last start was against the powerful Atlanta Braves, and the MLB highlights of that game were not bad for Willis. He allowed three runs on seven hits in six and one-third innings. He does not quite have his stuff back yet, but his enthusiasm is there.
San Francisco Giants
The surprising Ryan Vogelsong takes the mound in this game to continue what is the best season of his career. Vogelsong is 8-1 on the season with a 2.10 ERA. In his last 10 starts, he is 5-0 and has only allowed 16 earned runs in that stretch. If Vogelsong has one weakness it is his inability to make it to the seventh inning. The Giants may be trying to bring him along slowly, but Vogelsong would be a great help to the bullpen if he could just take this game right to closer Brian Wilson.
The Bottom Line
MLB fans love this time of year because this is when the pennant races get heated. If the Reds want to stay in the NL Central pennant race, then they will need to beat the Giants in this series. But that may be easier said than done.
Pick: San Francisco Giants
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