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posted July 1, 2008 at 16:07 in MLB Articles

After beating the Pittsburgh Pirates, (38-44, 44-38 RL) 4-3 on Ken Griffey Jr.’s ninth inning walk-off home run to pick up their third straight win for the BetUS MLB online sports wagering community, the Cincinnati Reds, (38-46, 33-50 RL) enter tonight’s baseball gambling matchup expecting to win as the National League’s best pitcher so far this season, overpowering right-hander Edinson Volquez, looks to get back on track after his worst outing of the season in his last start.

Griffey Jr., who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning after being given the game off to rest, ripped his 603rd career home run in the bottom of the inning to put a quick end to a tight ballgame and move within six home runs of former Chicago Cubs’ great Sammy Sosa for fifth place on the league all-time home run list.

"You try not to do that too many times," Griffey said. "You'd like to play 8 1/2 and shake hands, but shaking hands at home plate isn't bad, either."

The Reds are likely to get another fine performance out of the dominating Volquez after the flame-throwing right-hander was knocked around on by the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday to the tune of seven runs on six hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

"You knew it was going to happen sooner or later," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's been on a tremendous roll."

BetUS online baseball bettors should know that Volquez (10-3, 2.08 ERA) had not given up more than two earned runs in 15 of 15 starts prior to Thursday’s debacle and is still the National League leader in strikeouts, and ERA. Volquez is also 5-0 in seven home starts this season with a microscopic 1.83 ERA.

The Pirates, losers of two straight and four of five overall, will counter with left-hander Zach Duke (4-5, 3.99), who is pretty much assured of not picking up a victory in this outing as he is ‘O-fer’ on the road this season in 12 road starts.

The last time Duke won on the road was over a year ago, on May 27, 2007, when he led the Pirates to victory over the Reds ironically.

Duke allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings of a 10-0 shutout loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, but won his two previous starts and has posted a solid 3.11 ERA over his last six starts.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB online betting Free Picks.

The Pirates are 4-1 in Duke’s last five starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Pirates are 4-1 in Duke’s last five starts following a team loss in their previous game.

The Reds are 8-1 in Volquez’s last nine starts on grass.

The Reds are 6-1 in Volquez’s last seven home starts.

The Over is 6-0-1 in Duke’s last seven Tuesday starts.

The Under is 5-1-2 in Volquez’s last eight starts following a team loss in their previous game.

Analysis: There is absolutely no way the Cincinnati Reds lose this game tonight with Edinson Volquez getting back to his usually overpowering self against the struggling Pirates. Online MLB bettors should take the Reds to win though I think Pirates starter Zach Duke has another fine start coming as well.

MLB Free Picks: Reds 4 Pirates 2

07:10 PM EST MLB Odds

Pittsburgh Pirates

Zach Duke - L +1½ -140

Cincinnati Reds

Edinson Volquez - R -1½ +120

Over 8½ -120

Under 8½ EV

National League

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