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MLB Picks Today – Odds and Probable Pitchers for Reds vs Brewers (July 9)

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 9, 2021 · 9:54 AM PDT

Avisail Garcia and Omar Narvaez high-five
Milwaukee Brewers' Avisail Garcia (24) is congratulated by teammate Omar Narvaez (10) after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, April 10, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
  • See the best bet in baseball for Friday, July 9th
  • Reds left-hander Wade Miley faces Brewers lefty Eric Lauer in Milwaukee
  • See the odds, trends and prediction for the game below

The top two teams in the National League Central square off when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds at 8:10 p.m. ET Friday at American Family Field in the second game of a four-game series.

It will be matchup of left-handers as Eric Lauer (3-3, 4.11) goes for the Brewers against Wade Miley (6-4, 3.06). The oddsmakers see the matchup as even.

The Brewers (53-36) extended their lead to seven games over the Reds (45-42) in the NL Central standings with a 5-3 win on Thursday night.

Milwaukee has won back-to-back games following a three-game losing streak and its 32-13 record since May 22 is the best in the major leagues. Cincinnati had won six of seven games before Thursday’s loss.

Reds vs Brewers Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total at DraftKings
Cincinnati Reds -108 -1.5 (+145) Over 8.5 (-114)
Milwaukee Brewers -108 +1.5 (+177) Under 8.5 (-106)

Odds as of July 9th.

Miley Strong Since Injury

Miley has gone 2-0 with a 2.62 ERA in seven starts since being activated from the injured list May 31. He missed 10 days with a left foot strain.

In his last outing, Miley had a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday at Cincinnati. He scattered 10 hits over 6.2 innings while allowing two runs, striking out three and walking one.

The Independence Day performance had to make his fans happy.

It was Miley’s fourth quality start in his last five games and eighth of the season in 15 games. He has not lost since May 19.

Miley has gotten plenty of run support this season. The Reds have scored 10 runs in five of his starts, including three of the last five.

Miley is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA on the road in seven starts this season and 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA in eight turns at night. He also pitched a no-hitter May 7 at Cleveland.

He has pitched eight times against the Brewers in his career, including making seven starts, and has a 3-2 record and 5.92 ERA. In 11 career starts at American Family Field, Miley is 3-2 with a 4.93 ERA.

Lauer Looks for Third Straight W

Lauer has won back-to-back starts, allowing one run in 12.1 innings. He beat the Pirates last Saturday in Pittsburgh, giving up one run and four hits in 6.1 innings while striking out four and walking four.

Those two outings represent two of the four quality starts Lauer has registered in eight rotation turns this season.

His great moment this season might have come with a bat in his hands.

Lauer has struggled at home and at night so far in 2021. He is 2-2 with a 5.00 ERA in six games, including five starts, at American Family Field and is 1-3 with a 5.52 ERA in seven games, five starts, under the lights.

Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez has had problems against Lauer, going 2 for 11 (.182) with six strikeouts.

The Brewers have gotten key contribution from two relative newcomers in their bullpen.

Jake Cousins has yet to allow a run in seven appearances and nine innings since being called up June 21 from Triple-A Nashville and making his MLB debut. Cousins is a cousin – naturally – of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Hunter Strickland has made nine scoreless appearances covering 10.1 innings since being acquired June 14 from the Los Angeles Angels.

Even Steven

The teams have split 10 games this season.

On Thursday night, Avisail García hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning to snap a 3-3 tie and gave the Brewers the win. Garcia’s 16th homer of the season came off reliever Brad Brach (0-1).

Reliever Devin Williams (6-1) earned the win and Josh Hader pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.

The Reds won the season series 6-4 a year ago. The Brewers took the season series for three straight years from 2017-19, going 35-22.

In a matchup of two lefties pitching well, let’s play the total and hit the under.

The Pick: Under 8.5 (-106)

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