The Cincinnati Reds won the series weekend opener over the Atlanta Braves on Friday in 11 innings at Great American Ballpark and are set to take the series if they get a win on Saturday. The Reds were fortunate on Friday as MLB Batting Leader (.409) and Braves third-baseman Chipper Jones went 0-for-5 at the plate and committed a game ending error. On Saturday, the Reds will send RHP Josh Fogg (1-2, 9.00 ERA) with hopes of picking up a win. The Braves will counter with RHP Jair Jurrjens (5-3, 2.86 ERA).
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook SportsBetting.com currently have the Braves listed as 126-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game's total is sitting at 10.
Fogg was named the starter for Saturday after former starter Matt Belisle was optioned to Triple-A Louisiville on Friday. Fogg started the season as the No. 5 starter, but was sent to the bullpen after a lackluster performance in his first three starts. He went 1-2 with a 13.09 ERA in a combined 11 innings of work in those starts, the last of which came April 16 in a loss to the Cubs in which he gave up nine runs in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts. He pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief against the Braves on May 4, giving up five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Jurrjens didn't get out of the fifth inning Monday for the first time in 11 starts this season. He allowed eight hits and three runs and was pulled with two outs in the fifth and his pitch count rising. The 22-year-old also developed two blisters on the inside of his right thumb, which was covered with a bandage after the game. Jurrjens has thrown 66 innings this season, second only to Tim Hudson, and Braves manager Bobby Cox stressed after Monday's game that they need to start taking better care of their young right-hander.
Brandon Phillips drove in the winning run in the 11th inning on Friday, as the Reds got past the Braves 3-2. The Reds won that game as -150 favorites, but the game's five runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Jay Bruce had four hits and drove in one run for the Reds. Kent Mercker tossed a scoreless 11th to earn the win.
Brian McCann went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Braves, who were +140 underdogs. Royce Ring gave up the winning run and was tagged with the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: OVER 10
