Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Picks

Written May 2, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz

reds-pirates The Reds are 12-10 to start the year and currently have a two game winning streak. They defeated the Pirates 4-0 last night as Bronson Arroyo pitched a masterful game going 8 innings allowing only 4 hits and no runs. That followed up a great start by Edinson Volquez against the Astros last Wednesday. The Reds have not allowed a run in their last two games. Joey Votto has been a force hitting .346 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. Jay Bruce has shown a nice power surge of late, he has five homers and 13 RBIs this season. The hitting overall has not been good for Cinci. They hit .235 as a team and have a weak power lineup as a group. The pitching, has been stellar. Between Volquez, Arroyo, Cueto and Harang, this team will be competitive for the most part. Tonight the Reds send Micah Owings to the mound. Owings is a solid pitcher and is probably the best hitting pitcher in baseball (along side Big Z of the Cubs). Owings has four hits in 11 at bats so far. Through his first three starts he is 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA. Last season when he was with Arizona then Cinci towards the end of the year, he started a total of 18 games. These two teams are very similar style wise. Both need to manufacture runs as the power is weak from both ball clubs. The Reds do have a bit more talent. They are young and are headed in the right direction. Keep an eye on Joey Votto, he is one of the games best young stars.

Pittsburgh is an even 11-11 on the season as they currently are in the midst of a four games losing streak. While their opponent tonight, the Cincinnati Reds have now allowed a run in the last two games, The Pirates have not scored a run in the last two games. This team has two players playing good baseball right now in Adam LaRoche who has fine homers, 14 RBIs and is hitting a decent .270 from the plate as well as one of baseballs best kept secrets in Nyjer Morgan. The speedy left fielder is hitting .307 from the plate with 11 RBIs and has six stolen bases. Nate McLouth, who is widely known as their best player, has been hit with an oblique injury and is questionable for this game. The Pirates pitching is vastly improved this season as Paul Maholm and Zach Duke have looked impressive so far. Tonight’s starter is Ross Ohlendorf who was acquired from the Yankees as part of the package last season for Damaso Marte. Ross has pitched well through hist first four starts. He has a record of 2-2 with a solid 3.24 ERA. Last season Ohlendorf started five games total. One of them came against the Reds as he went 6 innings allowing four runs on seven hits. The hitting on this team has been very poor over the past 10 games. In order for them o win tonight they will need to score 6+ runs in my mind. That may be to tall of an order.

Haimo’s Hot Notes: As stated above, the Reds are on a two game winning streak and have not allowed a run in their last two games. Cincinnati is 3-1 against the Pirates in their last four games overall (dating back to last season). The UNDER is 8-1 in the last nine games when Pittsburgh is home. The Reds will look to add to their winning streak tonight and assure themselves a series win. Expect Micah Owings to pitch well and help himself from the plate. I’m loving the Cinci tonight. Go with them, BIG TIME as this is BEST BET CITY.

Jordan’s Pick: Cincinnati Reds -107 at 5 Dimes

So, we suffer our first losing night in three weeks. While the profits we have made together so far this year has been enormous, losing is still never something that sits well with me. So today, we will look to put last night in the past and start a new streak. In reference to the games. Beckett got rocked and the Cubs imploded in extras. All that needs to be said. My record speaks for itself, I’ll have several games for you folks today. That includes the Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton fight. Lets get it done.

Documented MLB Record: 36-16 OVERALL & 15-4 BEST BETS

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