Reds vs Phillies Game 2 MLB Playoffs 2010 Picks, Predictions & Odds: Bronson Arroyo is probably the best pitcher the Reds have a chance to win with, so it was no surprise manager Dusty Baker went with Edinson Volquez in Game-1. Volquez was tasked with facing, argueably the best pitcher in baseball, Roy Halladay on Wednesday. The result is now history – Halladay tossed only the second no-hitter in Major League Baseball history.
While Halladay's accomplishment is indeed historic, it doesn't mean the Reds are eliminated. It was only a Game-1 loss. Behind Arroyo in Game-2 today, the Reds have a good chance at evening things up before the series continues in Cincinnati for Game-3 and if needed, Game-4. Arroyo was 17-10 this season with a 3.88 ERA. The Phillies will counter with a good pitcher in his own right, veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt. Oswalt was 13-13 with a 2.73 ERA this season.
The only Reds starting pitcher with postseason experience, Arroyo hasn't been there since 2005 with the Red Sox. In 10 postseason games totaling 17 innings, including two starts, he has a 7.41 ERA.
Oswalt is 23-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 34 career games against the Reds. Only eight pitchers in MLB history have more wins vs. the Reds. The list includes Warren Spahn (62), Tom Glavine (27), Greg Maddux (24), Juan Marichal (24) and Robin Roberts (24).
Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter for Philadelphia in Game 1 of their NLDS on Wednesday, leading the Phillies in a 4-0 win over the Reds. The Phillies won that game as -210 favorites, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (7) set by sportsbooks.
Shane Victorino went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs for the Phillies. Halladay allowed just one walk and whiffed eight batters in the win. Edinson Volquez gave up four runs over 1 2-3 innings in that loss for the Reds.
MLB Picks: No, I'm not automatically taking the home team. I like Cincinnati's chances with Arroyo pitching. I also see this game as a pivot game in the series. If the Reds lose I think they're done.
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