The St. Louis Cardinals will be looking to RHP Joel Pineiro (2-3, 4.50 ERA) to get things done in the final game of a three game series against the Reds tonight on the road at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Pineiro was reactivated to the pitching rotation after going on the DL on May 21. The Reds will counter with veteran RHP Bronson Arroyo (4-5, 5.74 ERA). MLB Picks oddsmakers at online sports wagering leader Sportsbook.com currently have the Reds listed as 140-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 9½.
Joel Pineiro will make his first start since going on to the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin May 21. He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Pineiro was "at 100 percent." Pineiro last faced the Reds on April 29, when he gave up no runs and just one hit through seven innings with four walks and three strikeouts in receiving the victory.
Bronson Arroyo was clearly disappointed with his control in his last game, when he gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings Saturday in a no-decision against the Marlins. He threw only 58 of his 103 pitches for strikes and said that ratio doesn't work for him. Arroyo was particularly wild in the second inning, when he threw nine straight balls at one point and 11 of 12. That's when the Marlins scored their first two runs off him. Arroyo had a dismal start to this season, but seemed to right himself in May. But he had trouble at Philadelphia in his last start before Saturday, and now is likely to be in a period of soul-searching about getting his game together.
The Cardinals scored five runs in the first inning and went on to defeat the Reds 10-0, as +135 underdogs. The seven runs dropped UNDER the posted total (9).
Rick Ankiel hit a three-run homer and Jason LaRue went deep for a two-run dinger. Ryan Ludwick also homered and finished with two RBIs for the Cardinals. Braden Looper went the distance for a three-hit shutout victory.
Johnny Cuteo allowed six runs off five hits over five innings in suffering the loss for the Reds, who were favored at -140 in the contest.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: Reds -140
