The Diamondbacks took the opener of the series behind a rare sharp pitching performance. Arizona is going nowhere this season but they have hopped ahead of Colorado and could easily pass San Diego as well. <\/p>\n
Arizona Diamondbacks (46-60) vs. Cincinnati Reds (52-53)<\/strong>
\n Tuesday July 29<\/strong>
\n Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati, OH<\/strong>
\n 7:10PM<\/strong>
\n Probable Pitchers:<\/strong>
\n ARZ: Trevor Cahill (R)<\/strong>
\n CIN: Mike Leake (R)<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: Cincinnati -144, Arizona +133<\/strong>
\n Total: 8<\/strong>
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Arizona<\/h3>\n
They won\u2019t challenge for a playoff spot but it will make them a little more respectable. Paul Goldschmidt is having another strong season but the rest of the offense is pretty light.<\/p>\n
Only one other players has double digits in homer in a park where the ball generally flies out.<\/p>\n
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When Trevor Cahill arrived in the desert it was assumed that he would be a key contributor to winning baseball but he has gotten progressively worse each season for Arizona. This year his numbers are terrible and he has worked more out of the bullpen than in the rotation.<\/p>\n
Desperate for arms they have put him into the rotation and for what it is worth he has been better away from Chase Field.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati<\/h3>\n
With yesterday\u2019s loss the Reds sunk below .500.
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\nThey have lost touch with the contenders in the NL Central and with key bats like Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips out of the lineup for a while longer it doesn\u2019t look like they are going to be able to stay in it.<\/p>\nThey have lost 9 of their last 10 and even though their pitching numbers still look pretty<\/p>\n
The Reds have been on the skids of late and Mike Leake has been right in the thick of it.<\/p>\n
He has lost his last three starts giving up 4ER in each. Leake has always been a bit of a mystery given his success in relation to his size and stuff and you have to wonder if the league is just finally catching up to him a bit.<\/p>\n
He has not been terrible but he has never dominated and is getting hit a lot of late.<\/p>\n
Backing either of these teams with confidence is a difficult thing to do.<\/p>\n
Overs as well but for this one I think they are going to get enough from Leake to get back up to .500. I doubt they can get back in the race but they could turn things a bit around the rest of the series and with a trip to Miami.<\/p>\n