Series Preview: Marlins @ Reds

The Miami Marlins (29-39), will roll into the Queen City to play the Cincinnati Reds (30-35).

The Reds have won two of their last three games, including a game in Detroit and a game against Detroit in Cincinnati. They had an off day yesterday with the second game in Cincinnati against Detroit being postponed due to the rain. The Reds are winner of six of their previous 10 games. The team has won 18 of 31 when playing at home.

The Marlins come in on a two game losing streak dropping both to the Yankees, while splitting their last 1o games at five a piece. They come in to Friday Night’s game at 12-22 on the road.

Who has the Edge

ERA: The teams are ranked 8th and 9th in the National League with the Marlins getting the edge 4.01 to 4.07; however the Reds at home this season are ranked 11th at 4.05, and consequently the Marlins are ranked 14th in away games at 4.81. The Reds should have the advantage in that regard tonight.

Triple Slash: The Marlins are hitting .260/.310/.385 while the Reds are hitting .244/.312/.405. So overall, sabermetricians would argue that the Reds have the edge being that they are the team with the better OBP and SLG. At home the Reds hit .255/.326/.455. Meanwhile the Marlins are hitting .258/.305/.395. So that has the Reds just edging out the Marlins again.

Probables:

Game 1: MIA – Dan Haren (6-3, 3.22), CIN – Mike Leake (3-4, 4.35)

– Haren has a career mark of 2-2 with an ERA of 5.59 at Great American Ball Park

Game 2: MIA – Tom Koehler (5-4, 3.76), CIN – Anthony DeSclafani (5-4, 3.36)

Game 3: MIA – David Phelps (4-3, 3.96), Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 3.70)

Tonight’s Starters