jimmythegreek
The opening odds start here
Houston/Cincinnati over 4.5 -120:
With their cleanup hitter sidelined, the Houston Astros moved Brett Wallace up in the lineup the last time they took the field. The surging 24-year-old first baseman didn't disappoint. Wallace looks to continue his hot hitting as the visiting Astros try for a season-best fourth consecutive victory Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Houston (12-17) took two straight from Milwaukee over the weekend while allowing a total of one run but used an offensive outburst to win 10-4 in Tuesday night's series opener.
Wallace, who had hit fifth for most of the season, was moved up as Carlos Lee was held out due to a rib injury. The young slugger went 2 for 5 with a home run as Houston recorded its highest run total on the road. Lee's status for this game is unknown. Wallace is batting .523 in his last 12 games, and his .383 average ranks among the top five in the majors. Michael Bourn, who went 1 for 5 Tuesday, is batting .444 over a seven-game hitting streak against the Reds. Jason Bourgeois collected three hits to increase his average to .588 in his last five games.
Rookie Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 6.75) is scheduled to take the mound Wednesday for his first major league start. Rodriguez, who started 131 games in Tampa Bay's minor league system from 2005-10, will take Nelson Figueroa's spot in the rotation. Rodriguez will look to add to Cincinnati's recent woes at home. The Reds (14-15) are below .500 for the first time since May 7 of last season thanks largely to a 3-9 stretch at Great American Ball Park.
If his recent efforts are any indication, Travis Wood (1-3, 6.82) doesn't seem likely to stop the Reds' struggles. Wood allowed a season-worst seven runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings of a 7-6 loss to Florida on Friday, dropping him to 0-3 with an 8.39 ERA in five starts since winning his season debut. The left-hander, who has lost his two most recent home outings while recording a 17.55 ERA, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against Houston.
Despite the Astros pitching woes and a newcomer making his first start of the season, Houston has hit pretty well over their 12-17 campaign. Looking to extend their winning streak to 4 games, they are a .272 club with a balance of power throughout the heart of the lineup. Cincinnati on the other hand relies on power as evident by their 35 team HR's and a .262 clip. Johnny Gomes (.182) is not hitting his weight but does lead the Redlegs with 6 dingers and 17 driven in. Joey Votto (.363 5 16) is tops on the club in hitting, while Drew Stubbs (.265 5 15) and Jay Bruce (.238 5 13) also are dangerous with men in scoring position. Brandon Phillips is second on the team in hitting at .340 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. We get an expensive price here but with a rookie taking the hill against a fireballer whose fastball isn't nearly as intimidating as many first sought, we expect this total to soar early and often with both squads taking their cuts. Best of luck however you play!
With their cleanup hitter sidelined, the Houston Astros moved Brett Wallace up in the lineup the last time they took the field. The surging 24-year-old first baseman didn't disappoint. Wallace looks to continue his hot hitting as the visiting Astros try for a season-best fourth consecutive victory Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. Houston (12-17) took two straight from Milwaukee over the weekend while allowing a total of one run but used an offensive outburst to win 10-4 in Tuesday night's series opener.
Wallace, who had hit fifth for most of the season, was moved up as Carlos Lee was held out due to a rib injury. The young slugger went 2 for 5 with a home run as Houston recorded its highest run total on the road. Lee's status for this game is unknown. Wallace is batting .523 in his last 12 games, and his .383 average ranks among the top five in the majors. Michael Bourn, who went 1 for 5 Tuesday, is batting .444 over a seven-game hitting streak against the Reds. Jason Bourgeois collected three hits to increase his average to .588 in his last five games.
Rookie Aneury Rodriguez (0-0, 6.75) is scheduled to take the mound Wednesday for his first major league start. Rodriguez, who started 131 games in Tampa Bay's minor league system from 2005-10, will take Nelson Figueroa's spot in the rotation. Rodriguez will look to add to Cincinnati's recent woes at home. The Reds (14-15) are below .500 for the first time since May 7 of last season thanks largely to a 3-9 stretch at Great American Ball Park.
If his recent efforts are any indication, Travis Wood (1-3, 6.82) doesn't seem likely to stop the Reds' struggles. Wood allowed a season-worst seven runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings of a 7-6 loss to Florida on Friday, dropping him to 0-3 with an 8.39 ERA in five starts since winning his season debut. The left-hander, who has lost his two most recent home outings while recording a 17.55 ERA, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against Houston.
Despite the Astros pitching woes and a newcomer making his first start of the season, Houston has hit pretty well over their 12-17 campaign. Looking to extend their winning streak to 4 games, they are a .272 club with a balance of power throughout the heart of the lineup. Cincinnati on the other hand relies on power as evident by their 35 team HR's and a .262 clip. Johnny Gomes (.182) is not hitting his weight but does lead the Redlegs with 6 dingers and 17 driven in. Joey Votto (.363 5 16) is tops on the club in hitting, while Drew Stubbs (.265 5 15) and Jay Bruce (.238 5 13) also are dangerous with men in scoring position. Brandon Phillips is second on the team in hitting at .340 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. We get an expensive price here but with a rookie taking the hill against a fireballer whose fastball isn't nearly as intimidating as many first sought, we expect this total to soar early and often with both squads taking their cuts. Best of luck however you play!