ODDS ANALYSIS
While uncertainly looms over the Cincinnati Reds as the trade deadline nears, the team had a nice start to its road trip leading to the All-Star break. After getting swept at home by Milwaukee last weekend, the Reds were on the verge of falling into the cellar in the NL Central.
But the club responded with a pair of wins at NL East-leading Washington in a rain-shortened series. They now head to Miami where the Reds have won seven of their last eight games against the Fish entering this series. The Reds took two of three from the Marlins when the teams met in Cincinnati two weeks ago.
The Marlins continue to trip over themselves, wiping out the good vibes of a four-game win streak that included a sweep of the defending champion Giants, by losing their last four games while kicking the ball all over the yard. The Marlins return home where they’ve won three straight games and four of five, but are still below .500 (21-22) at Marlins Park, in the red 3.32 units on the moneyline.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Mike Leake (5-5, 4.39 ERA) labored through a 28-pitch first inning with several hard-hit balls, but still notched a quality start yielding three runs and eight hits in a loss to the Brewers on Sunday. He’s coming off back-to-back poor outings giving up 10 earned runs and 17 hits over just 10 innings of work.
Leake was masterful against Miami on June 19 allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts picking up a 5-0 win. That outing mirrored his career numbers against the Fish. He’s 4-1 with a 1.65 ERA over 32.2 innings of five starts.
David Phelps (4-4, 4.03 ERA) makes his first start since June 21 after spending another stint in the bullpen, where he tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in two appearances. He was removed from the rotation after surrendering eight hits, including two homers, and five runs over 5.2 innings in a loss at Cincinnati.
Phelps is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts at Marlins Park this season and has a 3.84 ERA in 13 starts overall.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Timing-wise, essentially he’s in the early part of his season getting his timing back. The barrel’s starting to arrive on time now. We know what he can do when he wins the battle to the sport, and that was good to see him do that. We need that power threat in the middle of this order, it’s huge.” – Marlins manager Dan Jennings on Michael Morse, who returned to the lineup after six weeks on the disabled list.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Strong defense was a top priority for general manager turned manager Dan Jennings when he put together the Miami roster during the offseason, and for the most part, the club has been good. But during a two-game sweep in Boston, the defense let the club down. The Marlins committed three errors in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss at Fenway Park, tying a season-worst mark set just seven days earlier, and extended their losing streak to four games. “Sloppy,” Jennings said. “Really uncharacteristic of who we’ve been. We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball. There’s no excuse for that.” Just two of the 10 runs scored by the Sox in those two games were earned, as the team made two errors in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss. Despite having just 35 errors through 84 games – the second-lowest total in the Majors – the Marlins have struggled to play clean defense of late, committing eight miscues in the past seven games.
PROP TALK
Reds third baseman Todd Frazier is going to the All-Star Game and competing in the Home Run Derby, but there is still business to tend to before that. His selection is deserving, with a .281 batting average and the third-most home runs in MLB. Half of Frazier’s 50 extra-base hits have left the yard and he’s a lifetime .306 hitter against the Marlins. Frazier hit one of his three career homers against Miami off David Phelps when the teams met in Cincy on June 21.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Two teams entering the series a combined 21 games below .500 doesn’t usually spark a lot of attention, and this one falls in that category. However it’s on the schedule and must be played. The Reds have owned the Marlins recently and so has starter Mike Leake, who carries a lifetime 1.65 ERA against them into this game. His numbers this season aren’t overwhelming but Leake will take a more prominent role in the rotation with the likely trade of Johnny Cueto at the deadline. He makes a statement against a team he’s had plenty of success against.
Cincinnati 5, Miami 2
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Cincinnati Reds versus the Miami Marlins will commence Friday, July 10, 2015, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Marlins Park. The game will be televised live on FSFL and FSOH.
