MLB Baseball Betting Picks: Reds vs. Astros

Cincinnati Reds (83-64) @ Houston Astros (70-76)

Date: Friday September 17th, 2010

Time: 8:05 pm EST

Preview: The Cincinnati Reds will head to Houston to take on the Astros in a three game series. Cincinnati comes into the series with a magic number of 11 to win the National League Central. The Reds hold a 7.5 game lead going into Thursday evening. The Reds rank in the top five in all the major offensive categories, including 4th with a .271 batting average, and 5th with 166 homeruns. Joey Votto is batting .320, with 34 homeruns and 104 runs batted in, along with 96 runs scored. The Reds will send Johnny Cueto to the mound. Cueto, the 24 year old right hander is 12-5 on the season, with an earned run average of 3.31. Cueto is coming off a no decision against Pittsburgh where he pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 hits and no runs.

The Astros will send left hander Wandy Rodriguez to the mound. Rodriguez is 11-12 with a 3.62 earned run average on the season. Rodriguez holds a 62-64 career record in 164 games started. The left hander has won his last two decisions, pitching 7 innings in his last four starts. The Astros come into the game 12.5 games behind the Reds in the National League Central. Houston currently is in third place, trailing St. Louis as well. The Astros are led offensively by Jeff Keppinger, and his .291 batting average, and Hunter Pence and his 24 homeruns and 85 runs batted in.

My MLB Betting Picks: Cincinnati moves one step closer to the postseason. Reds win 5-1.