MLB Picks: April 25th 2012
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds
Pick: Reds -129
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Matt nailed his MLB report with the Brewers last night but there is still plenty of work to be done! Going back to last season he is on a BLAZING 62-36-1 (63.3%) short-term MLB run and long term he is a MASSIVE 188-116-1 (61.8%) L305 MLB plays! He extends this POWERFUL streak and he gets things started EARLY! ABSOLUTE BLOWOUT! Get the day started with a big win!

After taking three of four in New York, the Giants dropped the series opener in Cincinnati last night and I expect that to carry over into tonight. San Francisco has gotten off to a slow start with an 8-9 record through 17 games and both the offense and the pitching have been underperforming. The Giants are hitting .260 which isn’t horrible but they have scored only 73 runs and they have put up four runs or fewer in eight of their last 10 games. They have now lost six straight meetings in Cincinnati.

The Reds are beginning to pick things up after their own slow start as they have won four of their last five games after starting the season 4-8. They have climbed over .500 at home for the first time since starting 2-1 and they are hoping the offensive outburst from last night carries over into tonight. Cincinnati has yet to put together consecutive strong offensive showings but it gets a chance tonight in a favorable pitching matchup. Going back to last year, the Reds are 12-2 as home favorites between -110 and -150.

Barry Zito will be making his fourth start for the Giants and he has surprisingly been the staff ace so far. He has a 1.71 ERA and 0.86 WHIP through three games as he has allowed two runs or less in each start which includes two quality efforts. It has been a great start but it could come crashing down here as his success against the Reds has been non-existent. In nine career starts, he has a 7.47 ERA and 1.55 WHIP and he has never won at Great American, going 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in five starts.

Likewise, Bronson Arroyo has gotten off to a great start this year as well. Through three starts, he has a 2.91 ERA and 0.88 WHIP as he has tossed two straight quality outings after an average opening start against the Marlins. After a solid 2010 season, he was dreadful last year and his most impressive feat so far is that he has allowed only one homerun after allowing 46 last year and he has issued only one walk as well. He has tossed six straight quality starts against the Giants, posting a 1.81 ERA over that stretch. 3* (914) Cincinnati Reds