3** MLB POD - #Reds vs. #Braves 7:10pm ET

[Pick Bot]

Reds +112 3* MLB POD
Just one play today and we will go with the Reds who have the pitching advantage on the mound as the Braves send the young David Hale to the mound. Hale has pitched poorly against two of the worst offenses in the league in the Mets and Nationals against RHP. The Reds are 14th, but their offense gets better as the game goes along which I like a lot in these type of close games as the Reds are 4th in OPS after the 7th inning. Hale throws mostly fast balls and is walking far too many guys right now and is likely to be replaced in the rotation when Minor returns.

Mike Leake on the other hand is always flying under the radar, but he's been very solid on the road throughout his career posting a 3.36 ERA in road starts over the last 3 years spanning 41 starts while he's also got a 3.47 ERA during 58 night starts overall which he'll make tonight. Leake goes up against a HR dependent team in the Braves and he does not give up many home runs himself, less than 1 HR per 9 over the last 2 seasons. Leake in 4 starts this year has an ERA over 3, but he has a 0.99 WHIP and I think he's pitched better than numbers indicate which have made him a dog today. He's also got a 2.57 ERA in 3 starts vs. the Braves over the last 3 years and in 2 career starts at Turner Field has only allowed 2 ER. The Reds bullpen is starting to come around and while the Reds lost 4-5 last night they are 60-21 in their last 81 games after they allowed 5 or more runs in the previous game.