Xander Bogaerts will be looking to extend his 30-game on-base streak as the San Diego Padres (16-15) host the Cincinnati Reds (13-17) at Petco Park on Wednesday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Reds evened up the series 1-1 after winning 2-1 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Reliever Derek Law was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Alexis Diaz picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth. TJ Friedl was 3 for 5 with one run in the win. Juan Soto went 2 for 5 with two doubles and one RBI for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Cessa (1-3, 9.55 ERA) is in line to get the start for Cincinnati. The RHP allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, an 11-7 road win over the Athletics on Friday. He got the win, giving up eight hits while striking out two and walking one.
Cessa is making his first appearance against the Padres this season. Cessa made one appearance against the Padres in 2022, an 8-5 home loss on April 27.
He allowed one hit over one scoreless inning.For San Diego, right-hander Seth Lugo (2-2, 3.58 ERA) takes the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Reds.
Lugo made four appearances against the Reds in 2022, all out of the bullpen, striking out one and walking two over 3.1 innings (0-1, 2.70). In his last start on Thursday, Lugo took the loss on the road against the Cubs. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out three, in the 5-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.3. Against righties like Lugo this season, the Reds have a .675 OPS. Jonathan India has the team’s highest on-base percentage against right-handers at .389 over 81 at-bats.
San Diego is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with a higher slash line (.311/.390/.548). The Padres have a .704 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.065 OPS over 72 at-bats, Bogaerts has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cincinnati is 4-11 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.5 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. San Diego has gone 8-9 at their home park this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. San Diego is 9-1 in the last 10 games between the teams at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 5.3-2.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Padres are third in the NL West, two games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-275)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
