As both fight for a playoff spot, the Cincinnati Reds (67-61) will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (66-61) on Thursday in the first of a four-game series.
Read ahead to get all of the current information on this matchup, including the Reds vs Diamondbacks odds.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Odds
Before making your MLB picks, it is important to look at the Reds vs Diamondbacks odds for this one.
Moneyline: The Diamondbacks come into this one as the favorites playing at home. They are -155 to win, while Cincinnati’s moneyline sits at +140.
Spread: The spread features the Diamondbacks +1.5, with odds of -140. The Diamondbacks are -1.5 on the spread, with odds of +120.
Over/Under: The over/under for total runs is set at nine. The over has odds of +100, while the under nine runs has odds of -120.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Information
Cincinnati Reds vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Location of the game: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
Date & Time: Thursday, August 24. 9:40 pm ET.
How to watch: MLB.TV
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview
Looking at recent Cincinnati Reds scores, they are 6-4 in their last ten games. On Wednesday, they swept a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels, winning 9-4 and 7-3.
Interestingly, Cincinnati has played better on the road (36-27) than at home (31-34) this season.
As for the MLB schedule of the Arizona Diamondbacks, they have been on a roll lately, winning eight of their last ten games. At home this season, they are 32-31.
Arizona enjoyed a day off on Wednesday, but they started the week by sweeping a brief two-game series against the Texas Rangers.
The MLB standings currently have the Reds tied for second in the NL Central, 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. They are also in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.
Wild Card Race Heats Up
For Arizona, they sit in second in the NL West, 11.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. A win Thursday would certainly help the Arizona Diamondbacks odds of making the playoffs, as they are one of five teams within two games of each other for just two Wild Card spots.
Offensively, the Cincinnati Reds rank 10th out of all MLB teams in scoring, averaging 4.75 runs per game (4.93 on the road). The Arizona Diamondbacks roster comes in ranked 13th, averaging 4.70 runs per game (4.35 at home).
Key Injuries
Analyzing the MLB injury report, the Reds are currently without Jonathan India (foot), Jake Fraley (toe), and Kevin Newman (oblique).
The Diamondbacks enter play Thursday with Mark Melancon (shoulder), Zach Davies (back), and Corbin Martin (side) all on the injured list.
Starting Pitchers
It is always imperative to take a look at the day’s starters before making your MLB picks.
Reds Turn To Williamson To Keep Rolling
After winning two on Wednesday, the Reds would love to keep rolling in Thursday’s opener and will look to 25-year-old lefty Brandon Williamson to get the job done.
In 17 MLB games this season, Williamson is 4-3 with a 4.47 ERA 1.26 WHIP, and he has 76 strikeouts in 86.2 innings.
His MLB player stats show that in his last three starts, he has gone 1-1, allowing six earned runs over 18 innings of work.
Diamondbacks Hope Kelly Can Give Strong Performance At Home
Toeing the rubber for the Diamondbacks on Thursday will be 34-year-old righty Merrill Kelly. In 22 games, he is 10-5 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and he has 134 strikeouts in 129.1 innings of work.
Kelly has pitched relatively well as of late. In his last three starts, he has given up five earned runs over a combined 17.1 innings.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Predictions
After evaluating the Reds vs Diamondbacks odds, we will be taking the Reds to win this one. Not only did they gain some momentum with two wins Wednesday, but Diamondbacks’ starter Merrill Kelly has pitched better on the road (7-1, 2.98 ERA) than at home (3-4, 3.27 ERA) this season.
- Add to that the fact that Arizona has been barely above .500 at home, and there is a lot of value in taking the Reds to win this one straight up at +140.
In terms of the total, take the over nine runs in this one (+100). Neither of these teams are particularly great on defense.
The Diamondbacks rank 20th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 4.76 runs per game to opponents. The Reds rank 23rd, allowing 4.96 runs per game.