Cincinnati at St. Louis (Friday-Sunday)

The Cardinals have their top three pitchers going in a series that marks their last hope to gain serious ground in the NL Central. Cincinnati enters Friday with an 8-game lead on St. Louis, having gained four games in four days. The Reds are 14-4 in their last 18 games, while the Cards are coming off a dreadful 2-8 road trip against some of the worst teams in the NL — Pittsburgh, Washington and Houston. Sports Scores

Oddsmakers will expect the Cards to sweep and get back in the Central race with their big three of Jaime Garcia, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. This trio has a combined 43-20 record and will all be heavily favored against the Reds’ trio of Bronson Arroyo, Travis Wood and Homer Bailey. Baseball Odds

The FoxSheets are siding with the Reds to defeat the staggering Cards for Friday night’s game: Play Against – Home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (ST LOUIS) – after being swept on the road in a 3 game series by a division rival, with a winning percentage of between 45-55% on the season. (32-14 since 1997.) (69.6%, +24.1 units. Rating = 3*).

This stat gives enough reason to pick the Reds for the entire weekend. Play On – All underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (CINCINNATI) – with a winning record on the season, in September games. (265-237 over the last 5 seasons.) (52.8%, +100.2 units. Rating = 3*). Basketball Odds

And when taking the Reds on Friday, you should also play the under based on this FoxSheets trend on Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati’s Friday starter. ARROYO is 19-1 UNDER (+18.0 Units) vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons (Team’s Record). The average score was ARROYO 3.3, OPPONENT 2.2 – (Rating = 6*).