The Cincinnati Reds are rolling into Oracle Park at 9:45 PM EDT for a regular season matchup that should probably carry a viewer warning for San Francisco fans tuning in on MLB.TV or Reds.TV. While the Giants boast a slightly less offensive .247 team batting average compared to Cincinnati’s microscopic .227 mark, their 52-77 record tells the real story of a summer spent spinning wheels in the mud. The Reds have their own problems, including Brandon Williamson sitting on the 60-day IL and Michael Toglia lingering on the day-to-day list, but their 4.51 team ERA actually looks like a masterclass in run prevention compared to what the Giants are throwing out on the mound.
The pitching matchup is a beautiful comedy of contrasts, featuring Cincinnati’s stellar Chase Burns and his glittering 14-2 record with a 2.51 ERA against San Francisco’s Carson Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt lugging a 7.03 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP onto the field means he is essentially hosting a nightly block party on the basepaths, which should provide plenty of entertainment for a Reds lineup that usually struggles to find first base. If you think Whisenhunt can miraculously keep the ball in the park or if Burns will simply steamroll the Bay, head over to StreakChat right now to lock in your pick.