The much-improved Reds may find themselves as a +150 or higher home underdog for the first time this season.
Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia picked up a 9-6 extra-innings victory in the middle game of this three-game series, while ending Cincinnati relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes record-tying scoreless innings streak for a reliever. The Phillies guaranteed at least a .500 record in June (13-12, +90 ), as the team has gone 131-134 in the month over the last 10 seasons. Philadelphia has enjoyed success against the NL Central Division in 2010, moving its record to 12-4, including sweeps of Houston and Milwaukee on the road. Over their last 13 games (9-4), the Phillies have scored 87 runs and hit a combined .273. Philadelphia finds itself as a road favorite of -150 to -175 for just the fourth time this season (-120), with the total being 3-1 O/U in those games.
Phillies SP Roy Halladay is 9-6 with a 2.29 ERA in 16 starts (-390), including five complete games and three shutouts. The right-hander ended a three-game losing streak in his last start, tossing seven shutout innings and allowing just six hits in a 9-0 road victory over Toronto that took place in Philadelphia. He is 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA in eight road starts this season (+80), issuing just eight walks while striking out 53 in 60.1 innings of work. Halladay will be making just his third career start against Cincinnati, posting a 1-0 record and 3.68 ERA (-70).
Cincinnati is now 3-2 on its current six-game homestand, as the team prepares to be away from the Great American Ball Park for 15 days after today’s game. The Reds were on its way to a possible 25th comeback win last night, until Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez produced a two-run double in the top of the tenth inning. Cincinnati leads the majors in comeback wins and ranks second with 13 wins in their last at-bat. The loss dropped the club to 11-16 all-time against the Phillies at its current home. Manager Dusty Baker’s team looks to draw even in games under the sun this season, bringing a 12-13 daytime record into the series finale (-320).
Reds SP Aaron Harang has a losing 6-7 mark and 5.07 ERA in 16 starts in 2010 (-420), which matches his win total from both the 2008 and 2009 season. He is 5-4 with a 4.79 ERA in 10 home outings, picking up a 10-3 victory last time out over the Cleveland Indians at the Great American Ball Park. The right-hander allowed three runs and eight hits over seven innings of work. Harang has made 10 career appearances (nine starts) versus the Phillies, producing an even 2-2 mark and 5.33 ERA. He pitched well against the two-time defending league champions last year, going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts.
Bettors can’t ignore the total in this contest with the Phillies being 16-9-1 O/U in day games this season. This fits nicely with the club’s 13-8 O/U mark as a road favorite of this kind the past three years. Placing a wager on the Reds in this situation is a 50/50 proposition, as they’ve yet to be a home underdog of +150 or higher in 2010.
