Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays 8/21/24 – As we begin August’s middle, Cincinnati Reds (61-65) take on Toronto Blue Jays (59-67) in what should be an interesting match-up at Rogers Centre. When it comes to the last stages of the season, both sides are failing to build momentum, thus making this game very important for them in terms of their positions. In order to further understand how this contest will play out on Wednesday night, let me go into details using the best sports handicapping practices possible.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays 8/21/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 7:07 PM ET |
| Where: | Rogers Centre |
| TV: | – |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Cincinnati Reds (61-65) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (59-67)
The Cincinnati Reds currently have a record of 61-65, which makes them look a bit out of form, but still indicates signs of promise as evidenced by their performance in the recent past. The sluggers for this team have an average of .230 and hit 148 home runs while slugging .399. On the other hand, Reds pitchers still maintain a steady 4.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP meaning they possess good defense that will be important in this Angels-Royals faceoff.
Similarly, Toronto Blue Jays are slightly better than Reds with an above-average batting average at .239 and significantly improved on-base percentage that stands at .312 though they have scored fewer runs (525 against 555). Their pitching staff has an ERA of about 4.49 while its WHIP is around 1.31; thus it might be a problem, especially in the Rays-Athletics matchup. However, Toronto’s slight edge in batting may come in handy if the team can take advantage of its home statistics from Rogers Centre.
Nick Martinez (6-6, 3.25 ERA) vs. Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.93 ERA)
Nick Martinez of the Reds has an ERA of 3.25 and a WHIP of 1.05, making him a prominent player in this game. The Reds’ pitcher has pitched for 97 innings so far where only managed to give up 92 hits and walked only ten batters clearly portraying his mastery on the mound. His ability to evade ground balls (79 Ks) while still striking out batsmen will be very instrumental in managing hitters from Blue Jays who have shown that they can get away with it when weaker pitchers are involved.
Moreover, Yariel Rodriguez may not boast an impressive win-loss record for the Blue Jays but he still has a decent ERA standing at 3.93 over 55 innings during which he registered 57 strikeouts. Still, he’s got control problems as testified by his walking twenty-seven batters. Rodriguez’s performance against a lineup like Cincinnati’s that preys on mistakes is going to be very important here; if he manages to cut down on those free passes and does not struggle with his command then he will give their team a chance in this game.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Cincinnati Reds -1.5 +183, Total Odds: 8
The betting odds reflect a tight contest, with the Reds slightly favored in the spread but the Blue Jays leading on the moneyline. The total set at 8 runs with both over and under at -114 suggests an expectation of moderate scoring reflective of both teams’ recent performances.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
The Reds have struggled to find consistency, as indicated by their recent 1-4 SU run in the last five games. However, their ability to score on the road could tilt the over/under balance, a trend betting enthusiasts should consider.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends
The Blue Jays, while dominant at home against the Reds historically, show a mixed trend with totals going OVER in most of their recent home games. Their performance against National League teams has generally resulted in high-scoring games, something that might repeat in this matchup.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays 8/21/24 Betting Picks
After considering the analysis and betting trends, it is possible that Reds could pull an upset due to Martinez’s good pitching shape. Nevertheless, Toronto’s historical home advantage should not be ignored. Although the suggestion will be for picking Reds for a narrow win, betting on over in total runs appears to be a safer choice.
MLB winning tips indicate that direct win bets may be risky taking into account the inconsistency of both teams; however – as per both teams’ trends and their pitchers – over total runs can also make sense. Proposals about individual performance bets including whether Martinez will maintain his ERA or Rodriguez improves his strike count might also find a favor with people who bet on sports.