The Reds clinched the NL Central title Saturday with a 6-0 victory over the Dodgers. The two clubs square off again on Sunday Night Baseball.

HOMER HAPPY

Homer Bailey has been a streaky pitcher for the Reds this season. The righty has a respectable 12-9 record with a 3.82 ERA overall and has allowed just five earned runs over his last four starts. Bailey had surrendered 22 runs over a five-start span prior to his recent hot streak.

HARANG MEET YOUR FORMER TEAM

Former Cincinnati hurler Aaron Harang gets the ball for the Dodgers. He’s 9-10 with a 3.80 ERA but has suffered from control issues lately. The right-hander has walked more batters than he’s struck out in three of his last four starts.  However, he has an uncanny ability to wiggle out of jams, holding opponents to three runs or less in eight straight games. 

INJURY REPORT

The Dodgers’ playoff hopes may rest on the availability of staff ace Clayton Kershaw down the stretch. The lefty’s injured hip is adding to the strain already put on a depleted rotation by injuries. Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley were in the mix, but both are done for the season with shoulder and elbow ailments. The Reds’ injury list is much shorter, but there is some concern about closer Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued throwing shoulder. The Cincinnati bullpen is already thin without the services of Nick Masset (shoulder) and Ryan Madson (elbow).

TRENDS

*Dodgers are 0-4 in Harang’s last four Sunday starts.
*The Reds have played over the total in Bailey’s last four starts vs. NL West opponents.
*Cincinnati is 25-10 in its last 35 Sunday games.

HITTERS TO WATCH

Ryan Ludwick is 14-for-36 vs. Harang.
Scott Rolen is 5-for-31 vs. Harang.
Adrian Gonzalez is 6-for-12 vs. Bailey.
Matt Kemp is 4-for-11 vs. Bailey.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for our Editorial Team, please contact us at Editorial

 FACEBOOK
 
 TWITTER
          share   SHARE   rss   RSS FEED   email   EMAIL   print   PRINT

There haven't been any comments posted on this article. Be the first to respond!

You are currently not logged in.
Login | Signup | Help
You must be logged in to post a comment.

Top Response

There have been no comments on this article. Be the first to respond!

Sports Betting Headlines »

Featured Free Play
MLB: St. Louis vs. San Diego
Pick:
St. Louis
Start:
May 21, 2013 - 10:10 PM
Capper:
Ben Burns
Offered at:
5dimes @ -137 St. Louis
Analysis:

I'm aware that the Padres have been playing well here at Petco in recent weeks. In fact, I won with them each of the last two days. This figures to be a tough matchup though.

Wainwright suffered a loss last time out. However, he still delivered a "quality start" and he's having an outstanding season. Through nine starts, he's 5-3 (Cards are 6-3) with a 2.51 ERA. He's averaged better than seven innings per start and has 63 K's to just five walks, allowing only two home runs in 64 2/3 innings.

A closer look shows that Wainwright has a commanding 30/1 K/W ratio on the road, the Cards winning four of his five starts away from St. Louis.

The Padres know how tough Wainwright can be as he's got a 0.97 ERA in five starts against them.

On the other hand, Volquez is 2-4 with a 5.32 ERA in nine starts vs. St. Louis. This season, through nine starts, Volquez has an ugly 5.55 ERA and 1.582 WHIP. Not surprisingly, the Padres are only 3-6 (-2.8) when he takes the mound. Consider laying the wood.
show more show less