Giants vs. Reds prediction and odds for Monday, July 17 (Ride Webb's Hot Streak)

The Cincinnati Reds went into the All-Star break with a bang and have come out of it with a whimper. Cincinnati was swept by the Brewers to fall to second in the NL Central at 50-44. The opposite is true of the 52-41 San Francisco Giants who were 3-5 in their last eight before the break, but are 3-0 out of it with a sweep of the Pirates. 

Now, the Giants are in Cincinnati for a four-game set that could go a long way in the NL Wild Card race. For Game 1 the Giants will hand the ball to Logan Webb to make his 20th start of the year. In his previous 19 he is 8-7 with a 3.14 ERA. The Reds will counter with rookie Brandon Williamson who is 1-2 in his first 10 career starts with a 5.21 ERA. 

The Giants are road favorites with these two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. Let’s get into those odds. 

Giants vs. Reds odds, run line and total

Giants vs. Reds prediction and pick

The Cincinnati Reds were setting the baseball world on fire with Elly De La Cruz before the break, but they managed only just three total runs in three games, all coming Sunday in a 4-3 loss. Things are not going to get any easier against Logan Webb today. 

Webb has been on fire lately and the Giants have to hope that an eight day layoff hasn’t put that fire out. In his last two starts he has given up just two total runs in 15.2 innings with 21 strikeouts to two walks. His most recent outing was a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts. He has allowed 14 hits, but he’s done a great job scattering them and his FIP is 3.23, so it’s like there’s much of a fear of regression hitting in the second half. 

I feel great about backing Logan Webb and do not have to worry about his opposition out-dueling him. Williamson has allowed eight home runs in 10 starts and has 38 strikeouts to 19 walks in 46.2 innings of work. The Giants have the bats to punish a lefty and managed three runs on seven hits over six innings against a much better lefty, Rich Hill, on Friday. 

The Reds have been a good story and an exciting team, but I’m not buying into a team with such a young lineup and such poor pitching. Right now, the bats are cold and the arms can’t save them. I’ll take San Fran. 

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change