The Cincinnati Reds (41-33) and San Francisco Giants (43-33) will open up a four-game National League series on Thursday night at AT&T Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:15 ET

Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants 

Cincinnati had to settle with a 3-3 homestand after dropping an 8-4 decision to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon, as the club now heads out on an 11-day West Coast road trip.  “We have to regroup on the coast,” stated Reds manager Dusty Baker.  The Reds can only hope that second baseman Brandon Phillips manage to avoid a concussion after getting knocked in the head Wednesday, as he’s batting .359 with four home runs and 15 RBI in his last 16 games.  Cincinnati is 4-6 as a road underdog of +100 to +125, while the “under” is 6-4 in that situation.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (9-3, 2.21 ERA) has won all four of his starts this month, including a 6-0 home win over the Minnesota Twins last time out, giving up just three hits over seven shutout innings.  The right-hander is 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA in eight road outings, surrendering three round trippers in 54.1 combined frames.  In three career outings versus the Giants, Cueto has garnered a perfect 2-0 record and 1.64 ERA.

San Francisco has moved into a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West division, with the club winning five of its last six games.  The Giants managed to hold the Dodgers scoreless for three consecutive games for the first time in club history.  It’s important to note that the club is one of the hottest in baseball in terms of playing in front of its fans, posting a 24-14 overall record at AT&T Park.  San Francisco is 10-2 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season, while the “under” is 9-2 in those contests.

Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10 ERA) has won his last four decisions, including a 9-8 road victory over the Oakland Athletics last time out, allowing four runs and 11 hits over six frames.  The left-hander is 5-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six home outings, issuing just three walks and striking out 39 in 43.2 combined innings.  In three career outings versus the Reds, Bumgarner has registered an 0-2 record and 8.56 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Reds due to their 21-7 record in Cueto’s last 28 starts, while the Giants are 1-5 in Bumgarner’s last six efforts against winning teams.

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