Cincinnati Reds vs. San Diego Padres: Preview, Predictions and Picks for May 1, 2024 4:10 PM

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May 1, 2024 7:38 AM

The Cincinnati Reds, boasting a 16-14 overall record and 7-7 road record, travel to Petco Park to face the San Diego Padres, who hold a 15-18 overall record and 7-12 home record. The series is currently tied 1-1, with the deciding game set to take place on May 1, 2024, at 4:10 PM in what is expected to be a pleasant 64-degree afternoon with no precipitation. Can the Padres bounce back in front of their home crowd, or will the Reds take the series?

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Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres Probable Pitchers

Graham Ashcraft, the probable starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, will look to build on his 3-1 record and 4.40 ERA as he takes the mound against the San Diego Padres. Ashcraft's ability to limit walks, having issued just 7 free passes in 30.2 innings, will be crucial in shutting down the Padres' potent offense.

In the upcoming matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, the San Diego Padres are likely to start Joe Musgrove, who has had a mixed bag of a season so far with a 3-3 record and an ERA of 6.94. Despite his inflated ERA, Musgrove has shown flashes of brilliance, racking up 27 strikeouts in 35 full innings of work.

Cincinnati Reds Analysis

As the Cincinnati Reds prepare to face the San Diego Padres, their high-powered offense will look to capitalize on their strengths, namely their league-leading 52 stolen bases and top-10 rankings in runs scored (144) and walks (106). Graham Ashcraft, the probable starting pitcher, will need to harness his skills to contain the Padres' lineup. Offensively, the Reds will rely on Elly De La Cruz, who leads the team with a .279 batting average and 8 home runs, as well as Spencer Steer, who has driven in 21 runs from the left field position. If the Reds can harness their aggressive baserunning and timely hitting, they'll have a strong chance of taking down the Padres in this upcoming matchup.

San Diego Padres Analysis

As the Cincinnati Reds prepare to face the San Diego Padres, they'll need to be aware of the Padres' potent offense, which ranks 4th in runs scored with 151. The Padres' bats have been hot, with a .250 batting average and 267 hits, good for 2nd in the league. Fernando Tatis Jr. has been a key contributor, leading the team with 6 home runs, while Jake Cronenworth has driven in 20 runs. The Reds' pitching staff will need to be sharp to contain this offense, particularly in the late innings where the Padres have excelled, leaving zero runners stranded on base. With Joe Musgrove taking the mound for the Padres, the Reds' offense will face a stiff test, but if they can find a way to get to Musgrove early, they may be able to capitalize on the Padres' 16th-ranked strikeout rate.

Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres Injuries

San Diego Padres

Justin Lopez (SS): Day-To-Day
Noel Vela (SP): Day-To-Day
Glenn Otto (RP): 15-Day-IL
Tucupita Marcano (SS): 10-Day-IL
Drew Carlton (RP): Day-To-Day

Cincinnati Reds

Justin Wilson (RP): Day-To-Day
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B): Day-To-Day
Tyler Stephenson (C): Day-To-Day
Frankie Montas (SP): 15-Day-IL
TJ Friedl (CF): 10-Day-IL

Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres Betting Odds

The San Diego Padres are currently favored to win, sitting at -135 on the moneyline, a slight adjustment from their opening odds of -140, while the Over/Under for the game is set at 8.5.

You can find real-time odds here powered by the Optimal app.

Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres Prediction

I'm calling it: Padres 5, Reds 3, with the Friars' bats firing on all cylinders and the Reds' pitching staff left wondering what hit them (literally).