MLB Baseball
2012-05-11 - Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Baseball : North America : MLB
Friday, May 11th, 2012, 7:10PM US
(12:10AM GMT)
PREVIEW
Washington bounced back from their 3 game losing streak by beating Pittsburgh 4-2 yesterday. The Nationals are now 19-12 and they've done it by keeping the lowest ERA in MLB. They are back in the lead in the NL East after yesterdays win, and can get to 8-8 on the road with a win today against a Reds side they beat in 3 of 4 games earlier this season.
The Nationals send out Gio Gonzalez to get the opening win for them. The southpaw is 3-1 is with a 1.72ERA and he has already faced Cincinnati this season, in the opener of that 4 game series where he pitched 7 innings and shut-out the Reds, but did not get a decision. He's been solid coming into this match, allowing just 3 runs in his last 33 innings of work spanning 5 starts. Opposing batters are averaging just .156 against him.
The Reds counter with Mike Leake, who has a 0-4 record this season with a 5.97ERA. He has lost his last 3 starts, and batters know exactly what to do with his stuff, averaging .292 against him. His last start saw him give up 2 homers against Pittsburgh, where he allowed 3 runs.
Over his career Leake has compiled a 3-1 record against Washington, but with an ERA of 3.86 that is sure to get worse as he is in poor form at the moment. He has only started against Washington once this season, and got tagged for 5 runs in 6 innings but luckily did not take a loss.
BETTING VERDICT
As I said, Gonzalez threw 7 shutout innings in his last start against Cincinnati, and his last 2 starts have seen him give up just 1 earned run in 14 innings of work. Enough for me to feel confident taking the generous price on the away win.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the Washington Nationals to win @ 1.87 (Pinnacle)
