All MLB league and division rivalries will be put on hold in the Buckeye State as the only thing that matters this weekend is which team, the Cleveland Indians or Cincinnati Reds will earn bragging rights within the state of Ohio when the two clubs meet in Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark. The Indians are expected to send left hand pitcher Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 5.06 ERA) to the mound in Game-1 Friday while the Reds will counter with right hander Johnny Cueto (2-4, 5.91 ERA). Start time is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Oddsmakers at sportsbook BetUS.com have installed the Reds as -120 money line (ML) favorites with a game total of 9 ½ runs.
Sowers looked good in Triple-A Buffalo, and his one major league outing he had went well, too. Whatever his problems were last season, he seems to have sorted them out. He's throwing with more confidence and with more velocity.
Cueto was roughed up six runs and eight hits, including five extra-base hits, over 4 2/3 innings during the Reds' 8-3 loss to the Mets at Shea Stadium. The 22-year-old rookie had decent velocity but located his pitches to the very hittable middle portion of the plate and got pummeled.
The Indians completed a three-game sweep with a 4-1 win over the A's in the series finale on Thursday. The Indians won that game as -145 favorites, while the five runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Ben Francisco had three hits and one RBI to lead the way, and Johnny Peralta homered in the victory. Aaron Laffey tossed seven innings for the win, allowing one run off five hits.
The Reds scored a run in the bottom of the 10th on Wednesday as they got past the Marlins 7-6. The Reds won that game as -135 favorites, while the 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Jerry Hairston Jr. had three hits with one RBI, and Adam Dunn belted a solo home run for the Reds. Jared Burton tossed the extra inning and was given credit for the win.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: OVER 9 ½
