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Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds in MLB odds battle
Ian Kennedy dominated the Cincinnati Reds less than two weeks ago at home in Arizona. The Diamondbacks hope history repeats itself Wednesday when their right-hander will be called upon for an encore performance in the second of a three-game series.
First pitch from Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park is 4:10 p.m. (PT). The Reds will send veteran righty Bronson Arroyo to the mound to oppose Kennedy.
Arizona enjoyed Monday off before sending Armando Galarraga to the hill for Tuesday's series opener. Sam LeCure started for the Reds who were 155 favorites with 9½ for the total. The Reds entered that matchup having dropped three of four to the Pirates in a weekend wrap-around series.
Kennedy (2-1, 6.88) worked eight innings at Chase Field on April 8 as a 105 underdog, striking out nine Cincinnati hitters and allowing one run in Arizona's 13-2 rout. The Diamondbacks hammered three home runs and put the game away with a six-run eighth. It was Kennedy's first career appearance versus the Reds.
His most recent start was a complete and utter disaster, however. Installed as 120 home chalk against St. Louis a week ago, the Cardinals chased Kennedy from the game after just three innings, plating nine while he was on the bump on their way to a 15-5 laugher.
Like his opponent, Arroyo (2-1, 4.24) enters Wednesday's battle having suffered a rough assignment in his last start that followed a very good effort at the Diamondbacks. A day after Kennedy whistled through the Reds lineup, Arroyo tossed six strong innings of Cincinnati's 6-1 win against Arizona. The 12-year vet allowed just one unearned run, struck out six and didn't issue a free pass as an even-money road pup.
The Pirates then pasted Arroyo with a 6-1 loss in Cincinnati last Friday, the Reds carrying hefty 180 chalk into the game. Arroyo surrendered a pair of homers along with the only two walks he's allowed so far in 2011, leaving after just four innings and charged with five of the six Pirates runs.
Arroyo made two starts against the D-Backs in 2010, one at home and one on the road, with the Reds winning both games. Since joining the club for the 2006 campaign, Arroyo has made nine starts versus Arizona with Cincy winning six.
Cincinnati's chances of climbing out of a recent slump are good if recent history between the clubs is any indication. The Reds won five of the seven 2010 meetings with Arizona and are 18-7 going back to the start of 2007.
Arizona's two wins over the Reds last year did come in Cincinnati, however, with the clubs halving a four-game series in September.
Rain was threatening Tuesday's contest, but there's only a 10 percent chance of the wet stuff on Wednesday. Expect the thermometer in the low-50s to start the game and dropping into the low-40s as the evening progresses. Winds from the NNW in the 12-15 mph range are expected (out to right).
The three-game set draws to a close Thursday with a matinee start (9:35 a.m. PT). Arizona will send young right-hander Daniel Hudson to the mound.
Cincinnati is still listing its own young righty, Mike Leake, as the starter, but a recent run-in with the law could force a change. Leake was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday on shoplifting charges.
Ian Kennedy dominated the Cincinnati Reds less than two weeks ago at home in Arizona. The Diamondbacks hope history repeats itself Wednesday when their right-hander will be called upon for an encore performance in the second of a three-game series.
First pitch from Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park is 4:10 p.m. (PT). The Reds will send veteran righty Bronson Arroyo to the mound to oppose Kennedy.
Arizona enjoyed Monday off before sending Armando Galarraga to the hill for Tuesday's series opener. Sam LeCure started for the Reds who were 155 favorites with 9½ for the total. The Reds entered that matchup having dropped three of four to the Pirates in a weekend wrap-around series.
Kennedy (2-1, 6.88) worked eight innings at Chase Field on April 8 as a 105 underdog, striking out nine Cincinnati hitters and allowing one run in Arizona's 13-2 rout. The Diamondbacks hammered three home runs and put the game away with a six-run eighth. It was Kennedy's first career appearance versus the Reds.
His most recent start was a complete and utter disaster, however. Installed as 120 home chalk against St. Louis a week ago, the Cardinals chased Kennedy from the game after just three innings, plating nine while he was on the bump on their way to a 15-5 laugher.
Like his opponent, Arroyo (2-1, 4.24) enters Wednesday's battle having suffered a rough assignment in his last start that followed a very good effort at the Diamondbacks. A day after Kennedy whistled through the Reds lineup, Arroyo tossed six strong innings of Cincinnati's 6-1 win against Arizona. The 12-year vet allowed just one unearned run, struck out six and didn't issue a free pass as an even-money road pup.
The Pirates then pasted Arroyo with a 6-1 loss in Cincinnati last Friday, the Reds carrying hefty 180 chalk into the game. Arroyo surrendered a pair of homers along with the only two walks he's allowed so far in 2011, leaving after just four innings and charged with five of the six Pirates runs.
Arroyo made two starts against the D-Backs in 2010, one at home and one on the road, with the Reds winning both games. Since joining the club for the 2006 campaign, Arroyo has made nine starts versus Arizona with Cincy winning six.
Cincinnati's chances of climbing out of a recent slump are good if recent history between the clubs is any indication. The Reds won five of the seven 2010 meetings with Arizona and are 18-7 going back to the start of 2007.
Arizona's two wins over the Reds last year did come in Cincinnati, however, with the clubs halving a four-game series in September.
Rain was threatening Tuesday's contest, but there's only a 10 percent chance of the wet stuff on Wednesday. Expect the thermometer in the low-50s to start the game and dropping into the low-40s as the evening progresses. Winds from the NNW in the 12-15 mph range are expected (out to right).
The three-game set draws to a close Thursday with a matinee start (9:35 a.m. PT). Arizona will send young right-hander Daniel Hudson to the mound.
Cincinnati is still listing its own young righty, Mike Leake, as the starter, but a recent run-in with the law could force a change. Leake was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday on shoplifting charges.
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