MLB Wednesday Preview: Braves at Reds, Diamondbacks at Pirates
April 24th, 2019
Atlanta Braves (11-11) at Cincinnati Reds (9-13), 6:40 p.m. ET
Mike Soroka (0-1, 1.80 ERA) (ATL) -125 / -1.5 runs (+125) / Over 9.5 runs (-105) Tanner Roark (1-0, 3.60 ERA) (CIN) +115 / +1.5 runs (-150) / Under 9.5 runs (-115)The Braves turn to another quality young arm in Mike Soroka on Wednesday night, as they face a familiar foe in the Reds' Tanner Roark at Great American Ballpark.
Soroka has a career ERA of 3.23 through six major league starts with a 3.00 strikeout/walk ratio. Just one Cincinnati player has any experience against him, and it's part-time utility man Derek Dietrich (1-for-3).
Roark has seen Atlanta plenty of times, having faced them in division when he was with the Washington Nationals. First baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies are a combined 19-for-60 (.317) against Roark. Red-hot outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (1.003 OPS) will offer Roark no relief, nor will third baseman Josh Donaldson, a game removed from his multiple home run effort Sunday night.
MLB Free Play: Braves moneyline
Arizona Diamondbacks (13-11) at Pittsburgh Pirates (12-9), 7:05 p.m. ET
Merrill Kelly (1-2, 4.37 ERA) (ARZ) +105 / +1.5 runs (-200) / Over 8 runs (-105) Jordan Lyles (2-0, 0.53 ERA) (PIT) -115 / -1.5 runs (+165) / Under 8 runs (-115)Arizona prevailed in Tuesday night's meeting between these two clubs in a 2-1 nail-biter. Expect another close, low-scoring tilt Wednesday night.
Merrill Kelly takes the hill for the Diamondbacks, and he was usually wild in his most recent start, when he walked seven Cubs before he was removed in the fourth inning. But the Korean-league export showed some promise in three prior outings, pitching to a 3.79 ERA and even making it through eight innings in one start. The Pirates have struggled to solve Arizona's bullpen so far this series, scratching out just three hits with no runs registered in 7 2/3 innings.
Jordan Lyles has allowed just one earned run in his first three starts of the season, pitching to a 0.882 WHIP. The Diamondbacks’ Over/Under record in their last seven games is 1-6, due in part to their lackluster offense.
MLB Free Play: Under
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