Giants and Reds Send Aces to the Mound Monday Night

Two aces take the mound Monday night as Johnny Cueto takes on Barry Zito in a match-up of two teams that have surprised most MLB handicappers thus far this season. The San Francisco Giants are currently third in the National League while the Cincinnati Reds are a half game back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the Central division. Both teams have blown away the average baseball predictions of most Vegas oddmakers in terms of how they would fair this season.

San Francisco has made a slight upgrade in offensive production this year, but they have got it done with tremendous pitching. The Giants team ERA of 3.26 is the third best in baseball, and is the main reason for their success this year. Cincinnati has crept up to the second spot in the Central with hitting. They are the highest scoring team in the National League and have put themselves in a position to take on the big dogs (St. Louis, Philadelphia) for the National League Championship.

As a team, Cincy is 3rd overall in batting average, 3rd in homeruns, 5th in runs batted in and 4th in hits. They have done it with a solid line-up of productive hitters that take a professional approach to hitting. Joey Votto leads the Cincinnati offensive attack with a .318 average. The Reds power numbers have increased dramatically this season. Their 71 homeruns are 3rd in the Major Leagues and their 290 runs lead the National League. Jonny Gomes and Scott Rolen are key contributors to the Cincy line-up. Combined they have 21 homeruns, 58 runs and 75 runs batted in. It’s going to be hard to keep pace with the loaded St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot in the N.L. Central, but the Reds look as though they are in it for the long haul this year.

San Francisco started off with the N.L. West lead for much of the first month and a half, but has slowed down due to a drop off in pitching. Reigning Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is having a bad year by his standards. His 5-2 record isn’t bad, but his 3.20 earned run average is well above his lifetime average. He hasn’t received much run support during his starts, but he has still allowed far more runs than he’s use to giving up. Matt Cain and Barry Zito have stepped up this year, and have been the key reason why this Giants team is still in the hunt in the N.L. West. Zito takes the mound Monday night with a 6-2 record and 2.78 ERA. After a phenomenal 5-0 start, Zito has split his last 4 decisions. He has yet to get a decision this month as he left his last start against Colorado after allowing just 1 earned run on 4 hits through 7 innings.

This should be a low scoring game as both of these pitchers are on their game. Tune in Monday night as the Reds and Giants square off in a game between 2 teams that are trying to prove that they are legitimate playoff contenders.

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3. Monday Night Showdown: Giants vs. Bears
4. Monday Night Football: Rams vs. Giants
5. Saints host Giants in Monday Night Showdown

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