Padres vs Red Series Preview: Surprising Cincinnati in Playoffs
Padres Seem Relegated to Another Disappointing Season
The Padres vs Reds series preview sees Cincinnati in a spot few predicted before the MLB season began. The Reds are in the middle of the playoff hunt heading into July. It’s not as though the Reds have been world-beaters. But Cincinnati is doing enough to win and that’s something there hasn’t been a lot of in the National League Central. Only the Reds and the Brewers are above .500.
San Diego Padres Highlights for This Game
The San Diego Padres have baseball’s third-highest payroll, but aren’t playing like it. The Padres are in fourth place in the NL West. The Padres have fallen victim to some bad luck, having a positive run differential, but a losing record.
San Diego’s biggest problem is the offense. The Padres rank in the MLB standings as bottom third in team batting average and runs scored. San Diego has a few baseball players with some power, but the Padres are seeing too many solo shots because players can’t get on base in front of them.
San Diego is pitching well. The Padres are No. 9 in team ERA and have eight shutouts, which is fifth in MLB. The bullpen has been above average, but San Diego was on the short end of the MLB scores Thursday due to some shoddy relief pitching. San Diego hasn’t helped itself out at home this season, going 20-22.
Cincinnati Reds Highlights & Overview of The Team
A 12-game winning streak in June helped the Reds move from near the bottom of the standings to the top. Whether that was a fluke or if Cincinnati is better than it was playing early on remains to be seen. The Reds dropped three straight after the winning streak was halted.
The Reds are No. 7 in runs scored and No. 10 in team batting average, so the offense isn’t bad. The pitching leaves a bit to be desired, sitting at No. 27 in team ERA. The Reds have converted 29 of 40 save opportunities, so the bullpen is doing its job.
Expectations for Friday’s MLB Game
The Padres were going to try Yu Darvish after he was scratched from Tuesday’s start due to flu-like symptoms. But he seems unlikely to go now, so expect Seth Lugo to take the mound. He last pitched Sunday. Lugo is 3-4 on the year with a 4.01 ERA.
The Padres are 4-6 when he starts. The Reds will counter with Graham Ashcraft, who hasn’t been very good this season. Ashcraft is 3-6 with a 7.17 ERA. But the Reds are 6-8 when he starts despite allowing plenty of runs.
The Padres opened at -140 in early markets, presumably due to Ashcraft’s poor numbers, with the buyback at +120. At current nickle lines, San Diego has a -128 moneyline, with the Reds paying +118. The MLB betting trends show San Diego is 11-12 as an away favorite after Thursday’s loss to the Pirates.
The Reds are 12-15 as a home underdog. The total opened a lofty 10.5, once again influenced by Ashcraft and his unsightly ERA. Ashcraft began the season by allowing two runs or less in his first six starts. He’s allowed three or more runs in his last eight starts.
The over is 7-1 in his last eight starts and may be the way to go until Ashcraft can get his issues worked out or is sent down to the minors.
MLB Saturday’s Game Predictions
The Padres vs Reds series preview shows the Padres haven’t named a starter for this game. San Diego could be waiting to see how Darvish is feeling. Reiss Knehr started for the Padres on Tuesday, but was ineffective. You can’t blame San Diego for not wanting to go back to him after he allowed five runs in two innings against the Pirates. If he goes, it will likely just be for a couple of innings.
The Reds will hand the ball to Brandon Williamson, who only lasted two innings his last start. He’s 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA. The Reds are 6-2 when he starts, however. If Knehr gets the start for the Padres, the Reds should be the play. Williamson’s ERA should help keep the line down.
Sunday’s Padres vs Reds Game Projection
The Padres vs Reds series preview has Andrew Abbott scheduled to make the start for Cincinnati in the series finale. He’s been solid for the Reds this MLB season, going 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA in five starts. The Reds did win the game Abbott didn’t receive a decision – so Cincinnati is 5-0 when he starts. The Padres are 14-14 against left-handed starters this season.
Once again, San Diego doesn’t have a pitcher listed for the game. Blake Snell is scheduled to pitch Monday, so it won’t be him. The Padres are likely hoping Darvish can go this weekend. Michael Wacha threw in the bullpen Thursday and could be good to go here. Although the Padres may take it easy with him for a bit.
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