With the way Bronson Arroyo threw in his last outing coupled with the Arizona Diamondbacks' sudden struggles at the plate, the Reds could be primed for a seventh straight victory in the opener of a four-game set Monday night at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati (50-38) moved a season-high 12 games over .500 and took over sole possession of first place in the Central after Sunday's 4-2 win over St. Louis. Scott Rolen's tiebreaking bases-loaded single with two outs in the eighth inning lifted the Reds to their sixth straight win, matching their longest streak of the season.
Starting in place of Johnny Cueto (blister), Homer Bailey did his best impression of a staff ace, yielding two runs over eight innings. Cincinnati, which hasn't won seven in a row since Aug. 13-20, 2010, has been receiving a lot of strong performances lately from its pitchers, who have a 1.80 ERA during the winning streak.
Arroyo (4-5, 3.73 ERA) began the streak July 6 by tossing a three-hitter in a 6-0 victory at San Diego. The right-hander, who has yielded three runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, struck out eight Padres while walking one, and acknowledged duplicating that gem won't be easy.
Arroyo could fare quite well again, though, given the way Arizona's offense looked over the weekend while getting swept by the Chicago Cubs in a three-game set.
The Diamondbacks (42-46) plated one run in each game at Wrigley Field, and finished the series 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position.
Justin Upton, the subject of trade rumors, went hitless in 10 at-bats during the Cubs series and could be in for another long night Monday. He is hitting .143 with eight strikeouts in 21 career at-bats against Arroyo, who is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his last four starts against the Diamondbacks.
While Gibson would like to see his offense break out, he also hopes starter Wade Miley (9-5, 3.04) can get back on track after a couple of subpar showings.
Arizona's lone All-Star, Miley posted a 10.45 ERA in losing his final two starts before the break after going 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA in his previous four outings. He faced two batters in Tuesday's All-Star game, and Gibson was originally planning to start him during the Cubs series before deciding some extra time would likely benefit his rookie left-hander.
He also hasn't seen the Reds, a team featuring the hot-hitting Brandon Phillips and always dangerous Joey Votto.
Phillips is batting .529 with five runs scored in his last four games. Votto, who hit his major league-leading 36th double Sunday, is hitting .422 in 17 games versus Arizona since 2009.
These teams haven't met since April of last season, when the Diamondbacks took two of three in Cincinnati.
Wade Miley 6.38 ERA - last 3 starts (1.254 WHIP)
Bronson Arroyo 1.99 ERA - last 3 starts (0.750 WHIP)
Arizona W/L Trends
Diamondbacks are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.
Diamondbacks are 2-7 in their last 9 games as an underdog.
Diamondbacks are 1-7 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. Diamondbacks are 0-5 in their last 5 road games.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in Mileys last 7 starts as an underdog.
Cincinnati W/L Trends
Reds are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Reds are 6-0 in their last 6 overall.
Reds are 5-1 in their last 6 home games.
Reds are 6-1 in Arroyos last 7 starts as a home favorite.
Reds are 6-2 in Arroyos last 8 home starts.
Reds are 8-3 in Arroyos last 11 starts as a favorite.
Head-To-Head (It's been a while)
Under is 30-7-4 in the last 41 meetings in Cincinnati.
Under is 3-1-1 in Arroyos last 5 starts vs. Diamondbacks.
Under is 38-15-2 in the last 55 meetings.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Reds are 5-2 in Arroyos last 7 starts vs. Diamondbacks.
Miley won nine of his first 12 decisions to earn a berth on the NL All-Star squad. But he has lost his past two starts, ballooning his ERA from 2.19 to 3.04. He gave up eight hits and eight runs in 3 2/3 innings against Milwaukee on June 30, then allowed eight hits and four runs against Los Angeles on July 5.
Arroyo won in his last start before the break July 6, firing a three-hit complete-game shutout at San Diego. It marked the right-hander’s second victory since mid-May. Since allowing five runs in four innings June 20 at Cleveland, Arroyo has allowed just five earned runs and struck out 14 in 22 2/3 innings in his past three starts.
Cincinnati knows they have to sty on pace is they want a shot at this division. The only way to do that is win win win...so far so good. 6 in a row with a great shot at 7 tonight against a fading Miley. Tonight take the Reds -131 and even put a little on the RL (-1½+160). Good Luck
CIN REDS -132
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