MLB Odds: Reds rather rocky in Colorado

The Cincinnati Reds entered this four-game series against the Colorado Rockies with a comfortable seven-game lead in the NL Central standings. That's a good thing, considering the Reds are 7-19 in their last 26 visits to Coors Field.

Though the Reds have not had much success in Colorado, they do own the second-best road record in the National League at 38-30. In fact, the Reds had captured 14 of their last 20 road encounters heading into this series. However, the Rockies possess the second-best home record in the NL at 43-22.

These two clubs met in July during a three-game series at Cincinnati. The Reds captured the first two outings, 3-2 and 8-1, with the Rockies taking the finale, 1-0. The ‘under' cashed in the first and third games, leaving the ‘under' 8-1 in the last nine series meetings.

Johnny Cueto (12-4, 3.41 ERA) will head to the mound for the Reds in Tuesday's contest. The 5-foot-10 right-hander pitched well last Wednesday against the Brewers in his most recent start, but was not involved in the decision when the Reds went on the register a 6-1 victory as a $1.60 home favorite. The 24-year-old limited Milwaukee to one run on five hits in six innings spanning 108 pitches.

Cueto is 6-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 13 road starts, with the Reds and the ‘over' going 8-5 during that span. In fact, the ‘over' is 17-8-1 in Cueto's 26 starting assignments this season. The Reds are 16-10 with Cueto on the hill.

Cincinnati has a plus-99 run differential, outscoring the opposition 679-580. The club is 22-11 in one-run games, 9-7 in extra innings and 53-38 against right-handed starters.

Colorado entered this series riding a three-game winning streak, which left the club 4 ½-games behind the first-place Padres in the NL West standings. The Rockies were also 5 ½-games behind the Phillies in the wild card race.

The Rockies will send Jhoulys Chacin to the mound in Tuesday's contest hoping the right-hander can improve on his 7-9 record. Despite being two games below .500 in his 16 starts, Chacin has a fine 3.69 ERA.

Chacin, who has also made seven relief appearances for the Rockies this season, is coming off last Thursday's no-decision against the Phillies. The 22-year-old allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits through 5 1/3 innings spanning 100 pitches. He walked two batters, fanned three and did not allow a home run for the seventh straight appearance spanning 27 2/3 innings.

Unfortunately, the Rockies went on to lose that game as 115 home favorites, 12-11. Though the combined 23 runs soared ‘over' the closing total, the ‘under' is still 10-5-1 in Chacin's 16 starts this season. The Rockies are 7-9 during that span.

Chacin is 4-3 with a 4.61 in 11 starts at Coors Field this year, with the ‘over' going 7-4.

The Rockies are just 42-41 against right-handed starters, 24-21 in one-run games and 7-8 in extra innings. They have a plus-44 run differential, outscoring the opposition 635-591.

Don't forget to check the weather and home plate umpires for all of Tuesday's baseball action.