The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds meet Thursday in MLB action from Great American Ball Park. Here’s a Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies prediction. This will be the final installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Phillies took a sweep over the Chicago White Sox this past weekend, winning all three games. Philadelphia continued their streak with a 7-0 Monday win over the Reds, then fell 8-1 in game two. In the Wednesday matchup, the Phillies posted 11 team hits on the way to a 7-4 loss. Starter Spencer Turnbull finished with 5.0 innings, one earned, three hits and three walks. Alec Bohm notched four hits with a pair of RBI.
For the starting pitcher job in Thursday’s finale, the Phillies will send out Zack Wheeler. Over his five starts this year Wheeler is 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA and 38 Ks in 31.1 innings. Wheeler is 88-66 with a 3.42 ERA in 232 career games.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
Over on the Reds’ side, they played their weekend set against the Los Angeles Angels and also pulled off a three-game sweep. Following their split in the first two installments of the Phillies series, on Wednesday Cincinnati scored four runs in the sixth inning alone. Will Benson had two hits, two RBI and a homer. Santiago Espinal had three RBI with a run and two hits.
It’ll be Nick Martinez in the starting pitcher role for the Reds on Thursday. So far over his four games (two starts) in 2024 Martinez has a 4.76 ERA without a decision. He’s managed 14 Ks in 17.0 total innings. Martinez has a career mark of 27-38 with a 4.33 ERA in 202 games (89 starts). The Reds will face the Rangers following this series.
Phillies vs Reds Injury Notes
Phillies RP Luis Ortiz was assigned to Single-A Clearwater on Tuesday to kick off a rehab assignment. Ortiz is battling an ankle issue. SP Taijuan Walker will be activated from the 15-day IL to start Sunday versus the Padres.
Reds RF Jake Fraley was out of the lineup Wednesday due to an illness. He’s day-to-day. As for RP Ian Gibaut (forearm), he resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Cincinnati Reds Team Facts
- The Reds have lost each of their last eight day games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight day games against National League opponents following a win.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last four day games.
Philadelphia Phillies Team Facts
- The Phillies have won each of their last seven day games following a road loss.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in each of their last five games as favorites against the Reds following a loss.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last five Thursday day games.
- The Phillies have led after 3 innings in each of their last three day games.
Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction
I’ll stay with the Phillies here. We should have a good starter matchup if both guys are on point, though. Wheeler had a couple of rough outings this month, giving up seven earned over 12.0 total innings on 11 hits and four walks in a pair of losses. Wheeler was able to bounce back with 7.1 clean frames against the White Sox his last time up, though. As for Martinez, he’s given up just one earned in his last 7.0 frames total.
On Wednesday the Phillies had a 3-1 lead at one point but couldn’t hang on after the rough sixth inning. Seranthony Dominguez (0.2 innings; four earned) took most of the damage pitching-wise, but just about everybody gave up at least one earned. Philly should get a good start out of Wheeler though, and it’ll be up to the pen after that.