Cincinnati Reds (45-41) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (52-36)
July 9, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Milwaukee Brewers -113 / Cincinnati Reds +103; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers meet Friday in MLB action from Miller Park. This will be the second installment in a four-game set over the weekend. In the Thursday opener, the Brewers secured a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cincinnati played the Royals this week, losing Tuesday 7-6 but otherwise winning 6-2 Monday and 5-2 on Wednesday. In the Thursday opener versus Milwaukee, the Reds had a brief lead but couldn’t hold on in a 5-3 loss. Tyler Mahle lasted 6.0 frames with three earned on four hits and four walks.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Reds will turn to Wade Miley. Across his 88.1 innings this year, Miley has 79 hits, 31 runs (30 earned), six homers allowed, 23 walks, 72 Ks and a 3.06 ERA.
Over on the Brewers’ side, they had some trouble with the Mets this week, losing the first pair before a 5-0 Wednesday win. On Thursday, Milwaukee took the lead for good with two runs in the eighth. Adrian Houser managed 4.1 innings with five hits and four walks.
For the Friday game two start, the Brewers will send out Eric Lauer. This year Lauer is carrying a 4.11 ERA with 46 hits, 27 runs (23 earned), 10 homers allowed, 20 walks and 51 strikeouts. He gave up one earned on four hits in his last outing.
The Reds are 16-6 in their last 22 Friday games and 2-5 in their last seven with the total set at 7.0-8.5. The under is 4-1 in the Reds’ last five games versus a lefty starter and 8-3-1 in their last 12 in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Brewers are 4-1 in their last five Friday games and 4-1 in their last five in game two of a series. Milwaukee is 28-11 in their last 39 overall and the over is 4-0 in their last four Friday games.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Reds. Lauer gave up 10 hits in 6.2 innings during his last start, but was able to minimize the damage with just one walk and two earned. He’s got two earned in four of his last five starts. As for Lauer, he’s been on a pretty solid run himself, with one earned on six hits in his last two starts. I like both guys to pitch well here in a relatively low-scoring game. Should be a good one.
