MLB Lines – Reds vs Dodgers
The Dodgers are still riding the euphoric wave of veteran pitcher Josh Beckett’s no-hitter against the Phillies last night; they’ll hope to keep that good California karma going against the visiting Reds on Monday night.
Date/Time: Monday, May 26 2014, 8 pm EST
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles CA
Cincinnati 2.00, Los Angeles 1.83
Over/Under: 6
Pitching Match-up: Johnny Cueto (4-3, 1.86 ERA) vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2, 3.00 ERA)
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Cincinnati (22-26) have had a pretty miserable season to date, but one of the rare happy storylines has been the outright dominance of ace pitcher Johnny Cueto. The Dominican had a rough outing his last time on the mound, but other than that he has been the best pitcher in the majors in 2014 (with apologies to Toronto’s Mark Buehrle).
Cueto’s 4-3 record means nothing because of the shabby run support he gets from the Reds’ lineup. His ERA and WHIP are at historic lows for him and he has shown presence and command that is otherworldly. Any chance Cincy has in the NL Central division will hinge on Cueto continuing his elite form.
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The home team counters with 27-year old South Korean Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has been solid in his own right. All the current publicity is fawning over Beckett’s magical evening, but the reason the big-budget Dodgers (27-24) are such a tough opponent is the starting pitching. Ryu is in the thick of that discussion along with Beckett, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Despite having an impressive statistical season as a team, the Dodgers haven’t been as dominant as expected in 2014. The overachieving of NL West clubs like the Colorado Rockies and L.A’s nemesis the San Francisco Giants has something to do with that, but it’s fair to say that Los Angeles hasn’t truly found its groove.
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When it does, look out.
This season, the Dodgers must prove they are something more than a bloated payroll and a Yasiel Puig headline. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez is having a campaign to turn back the clock (12 HR, 36 RBI, .347 OBP) which is surely a refreshing sight. Gregarious Cuban OF Puig brings both media scrutiny and sublime talent.
Still, I’m sure the Dodgers didn’t expect to be third in their division at the end of May.
Cincinnati has its own demons to conquer – they are almost all offense-related. The Reds have to score more runs if they are to keep up with the likes of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers in the Central division.
Starting pitcher Mat Latos will return soon from the Disabled List, when he does promising hurler Tony Cingrani should be demoted to the bullpen, as he’s been struggling lately. If it weren’t for Cueto’s Cy Young-calibre performance, the Reds would be in a poor state indeed.
The return of a dialled-in Latos should stabilize the rotation.
For confidence if nothing else at this time of year, the Reds have to put something together and get on the happy side of .500.
On the road at Dodger Stadium is a tough place to generate momentum, but a Cueto start is as good a time as any to put a “W” in the column and for the Reds to claw their way back into the NL Central divisional race.
Cincinnati 4, Los Angeles 2
