Miami Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Reds (67-57) will continue their chase for a postseason spot on Saturday as they host the Miami Marlins (51-72) for the third of a four-game series. The Reds will host this one at the Great American Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm ET.

The Reds have taken the first two games of this series, including a 5-3 victory on Friday.

In the win, Sonny Gray was brilliant, going seven innings of scoreless ball while striking out five. Joey Votto led the offense as he hit his 28th home run of the season.

In the loss, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit his 14th home run, but it was not enough to overcome a rough start from Elieser Hernandez. He went just 4.2 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits while striking out six.

The Reds are the overwhelming favorites playing at home Saturday. They are -213 to win while the Marlins’ moneyline sits at +155. The runline features Miami +1.5 (-141), and the over/under for total runs is 8.5.

Pitching Matchup

The Marlins will send righty Zach Thompson to the mound on Saturday. On the season, he is 2-5 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched.

Wade Miley will take the ball for the Reds in this one. Miley has been one of the best pitchers no one is really talking about this year as he is 10-4 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts over 133 innings pitched.

By The Number

Offensively, the Reds continue to be one of the best scoring teams in baseball. They currently rank fifth, averaging 5.06 runs per game (5.55 at home). The Marlins rank 26th, averaging just 4.02 runs per game.

It is the Marlins who hold the advantage defensively. In terms of scoring defense, they rank 13th, allowing opponents an average of 4.25 runs per game. The Reds rank 19th, allowing 4.80 runs.

Marlins Try To Play Spoiler

At 51-72, the Marlins have fallen out of contention for a playoff spot. They are currently 15.5 games back in the division and are 4-6 in their last 10.

Still, the Marlins are a young, scrappy team that would love to play spoiler down the stretch. The problem for Miami, though, is they have been atrocious on the road this season with a 21-42 road record.

Leading the offense for Miami is Jesus Aguilar. He currently leads the team in home runs (22) and runs batted in (86) while hitting .264/.330/.475.

Keep an eye out for Jazz Chisholm Jr. in this one. He has been red hot as of late. Not only did he homer Friday, but over the last week, he is hitting .381/.409/.857 with three home runs and six runs batted in.

Reds Trying To Track Down Wild Card Spot

The Reds are definitely back in the hunt. With their victory on Friday, they have now moved to within just half a game of the San Diego Padres for the second Wild Card spot. With the postseason spot in reach, the Reds are thinking sweep this weekend.

Not only do they have a solid pitcher in Wade Miley on the mound for this one, but they have one of the best hitters in baseball leading the offense. Joey Votto has been unreal over the last couple of months and is now hitting .282/.375/.581 and leads the team in home runs (28) and runs batted in (81).

Between Votto, Jesse Winker (.307 avg., 24 HR), Nick Castellanos (.318 avg., 21 HR), Eugenio Suarez (23 HR), and Jonathan India (.277 avg, 16 HR), this is a relentless offense that can do damage in a hurry.

Can Reds Keep It Going?

Despite still being a half-game back, the Reds are currently sitting pretty. Not only have they been playing good baseball as of late, but they have the second-easiest remaining strength of schedule as opponents have just a combined .465 winning percentage.

Comparatively, the Padres, who they are chasing, have the hardest remaining strength of schedule of any team in baseball.

The opportunity is there, and the question is whether the Reds will take advantage of it.