Sunday Night ESPN Baseball Free Picks: Reds at Cardinals Line, Total and Preview

Sunday Night MLB Baseball Picks on ESPN: Cincinnati Reds at St Louis Cardinals Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/24/11: The Cincinnati Reds are once again proving nay-sayers wrong with their 11-10 start to the season. This time last year the Reds had a 7-11 record and they were an out of sorts bunch. They ended up squeaking into the postseason, but were ousted in three straight by the Philadelphia Phillies. This year the objective is clear, build upon last year, and through 21 games it seems as though they are destined to make a run at it. The Reds are doing it all over the field and consistently, a tell tale sign that they are serious and motivated to prove themselves this year. Joey Votto is once again making a case to be a two-time MVP finalist, he is doing it with his bat and his glove. He has taken this club on his shoulders since the midway point of last season and hasn’t looked back. He can drive the ball to opposite fields and is always a threat to clear the bases. Chapman on the mound is the x-factor this season, if the Cuban standout can rekindle his fastball that was seen in world baseball competition in years past then the sky is the limit for this 2011 Reds club.

The St. Louis Cardinals are tied with these same Reds for tops in the NL Central, but they are looking more precarious then in years past. No longer are they getting consistent outings from their starting pitchers, a trait the Cardinals came to be known for over the past few years. The offense is being relied on much, much more to produce runs, but the added pressure has gone to hamper the production. After an off year last season, Albert Pujols is responding with a monster start to the 2011 schedule. He has 7 dingers on the season to go along with a .512 slugging percentage and 17 RBI. He has on record pace to surpass all of his records and he may just be the catalyst to lead this Cardinals club back into the postseason.

The complimentary play tonight lies with the OVER. These two clubs have been on a scoring frenzy all year long and I do not except it to end tonight. The game will feature two pitchers who have had control issues in their few starts and have staggering ERA. The added boost to be playing on national television on a Sunday night will only go to get both teams’ players fired up. The Reds are most likely going to be returning 3B Scott Rolen to the starting lineup, before hurting his shoulder a week ago he was on a torrid hitting streak. The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis’s last 11 games and has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 games when playing Cincinnati. We will consider the balls to be a fly tonight in what will sure to be a high scoring prime time affair. Cheers!

Free Pick: OVER 9 Runs
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