MLB picks: Brewers vs. Reds, Dodgers vs. Giants

We’ll try to get the weekend started on the right foot as we make our Friday night MLB selections!

Leading off is an NL Central showdown between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds. Then we’ll highlight a marquee matchup in the NL West between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants.

Milwaukee Brewers (21-22) at Cincinnati Reds (19-23), 7:10 p.m. ET, FS1

Bettors should expect plenty of runs to cross the plate as the Reds host the Brewers on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.

Adrian Houser was uncharacteristically wild in his latest start for Milwaukee, dishing out five walks before exiting after three innings against the Atlanta Braves. He was fortunate to escape with just two earned runs allowed.

Houser has modest numbers against Cincinnati going into his first encounter with their 2021 club, as he sports an 0-2 record, 5.64 ERA, and 1.343 WHIP over 22 1/3 innings. Outfielders Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos are a combined 9-for-21 (.429) all-time against Houser with four home runs.

Once Houser departs, the Reds will get to tackle a Brewers bullpen that’s produced a 5.83 ERA over the last two weeks, fourth-worst in baseball.

Countering for Cincinnati is Jeff Hoffman, who owns a 7.84 ERA and 1.839 WHIP through three starts this month. It’s hard to imagine him or the Reds’ ninth-worst relievers by ERA over the last two weeks (4.85) being very effective in this spot.

MLB pick: Over

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Los Angeles Dodgers (26-18) at San Francisco Giants (28-16), 9:45 p.m. ET

First place in the NL West is on the line this weekend as the Dodgers – winners of eight of their last nine – visit the red-hot Giants, who are 10-2 over their last 12 games. The edge in the first of three games appears to reside with Los Angeles.

Trevor Bauer gets the nod for the Dodgers, and he’s allowing opponents to bat just .162 on the road through six starts. Many of San Francisco’s best hitters will be getting their first look at Bauer, giving the 2020 NL Cy Young winner the leg-up.

Bauer is backed by an L.A. bullpen that’s sixth in ERA (2.95) over the last two weeks.

Former Dodger Alex Wood will toe the rubber for the Giants in this one. Though his 1.75 ERA in 2021 is impressive at first glance, it’s worth noting he reached that number pitching against the Marlins (twice), Rockies (twice), Rangers and Pirates – not exactly murderer’s row.

It’s hard to see Wood cooling off Max Muncy, who’s 15-for-32 (.469) with three homers and seven RBI over his last nine games. It’s also difficult to see San Fran’s relievers (3.92 ERA last two weeks, 13th in the majors) matching strides with the Dodgers’ bullpen.

MLB pick: Dodgers -139