Reds vs. Cardinals Betting Preview

St. Louis opened at -141 with a move to -152.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (13-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Daniel Ponce de Leon (1-1, 3.76)

Castillo is 2-1 over his last three starts despite giving up 14 runs in 16 1/3 innings. Included in the uneven stretch was a loss to the Cardinals at home Aug. 16 in which he was charged with a season-high eight runs in 4 1/3 frames. The Dominican Republic native is 2-4 with a 4.26 ERA in nine career starts against St. Louis but he owns a 2.38 mark in four outings at Busch Stadium.

Ponce de Leon is making his first appearance in the majors since he was rocked for five runs with four walks and no strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings against Houston on July 27. He went 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA in five August starts for Triple-A Memphis. The 27-year-old is 0-1 with a 2.61 mark through his first two career matchups with the Reds.

St. Louis is 17-4 in their last 21 overall.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com