Posted on 4/29/2008 5:50:06 PM

MLB Baseball Betting Odds – Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals

By Eric Williams

After winning their third consecutive game in the BetUS Sportsbook by beating the St. Louis Cardinals, (16-11, 12-15 O/U) 4-3 on Monday, the Cincinnati Reds, (12-15, 12-13-1 O/U) are back tonight looking for more and will send gifted young rookie right-hander Johnny Cueto, (1-2, 4.05 ERA) to the mound looking to pick up his first win since winning his major-league debut on April 3, when he overpowered the Arizona Diamondbacks allowing one hit while striking out 10 while leading the Reds to a solid 3-2 win that day.

"Going into spring training, there were probably more reasons to think he would start the season at Triple-A than here," former Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "He pitched so well that he forced our decision. Actually, he made our decision easy."

Cueto will be going up against Cardinals veteran right-handed starter Joel Pineiro (1-2, 5.29) who is coming off a dominating performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, allowing just one run on four hits in seven innings of the Cardinals’ 6-2 win.

"I thought Pineiro was outstanding," manager Tony La Russa told the team's official Web site. "From the first pitch to the last pitch, he made so many quality throws."

Cardinals’ first baseman Albert Pujols is 5-for-12 in his last four games and has batted a blistering .369 with 29 homers and 91 RBIs in his career against the Reds.

The Reds have scored just five runs in Cueto’s five starts this season.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.

The Reds are 0-4 in Cueto’s last four starts on grass.

The Reds are 0-4 in Cueto’s last four starts vs. National League Central.

The Cardinals are 6-1 in Pineiro’s last seven starts with four days of rest.

The Cardinals are 7-3 in Pineiro’s last ten starts as an underdog.

The Under is 4-1 in Cueto’s last five starts overall.

The Under is 4-1 in Cueto’s last five starts on grass.

The Under is 4-0 in Pineiro’s last four starts with four days of rest.

The Under is 4-1-1 in Pineiro’s last six home starts.

The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

The Reds are 18-39 in the last 57 meetings in St. Louis.

Analysis: While the Cardinals are the better team in this matchup, I like the Reds to win this game behind a solid performance from young Johnny Cueto while finally giving him enough run support to pick up another victory. Take the Reds, behind Cueto to pick up a close victory.

MLB Free Picks: Reds 5 Cardinals 2

08:15 PM EST MLB Odds

Cincinnati Reds

Johnny Cueto - R +1½ -225

St Louis Cardinals

Joel Pineiro - R -1½ +185

Over 9 +105

Under 9 -125

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