Reds vs. Diamondbacks (June 15): Can Gallen keep Cincinnati from breaking out the brooms?

After taking the first two games from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cincinnati Reds are aiming for their first three-game sweep of the MLB season on Wednesday afternoon.

Since opening the season with just three wins in their first 25 games, Cincinnati has put together a 19-17 record. But they still have yet to sweep a three or four-game series, registering only a two-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians last month in Interleague action.

But the Reds are on the cusp of finally getting over the hump in that area, and they will have their ace, Luis Castillo, on the hill as they try to break out the brooms. However, the Diamondbacks will look to avert the sweep with their own ace, Zac Gallen, who will be looking to put his worst start of the season behind him.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Cincinnati Reds (23-39, 11-22 road, 5th in the NL Central) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (29-35, 14-18 home, 4th in the NL West)
• Venue & Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
• Time: 3:40 p.m. Eastern Time (12:40 p.m. local time)
• TV Broadcast/Streaming Info: Bally Sports Ohio (Reds), Bally Sports Arizona (Diamondbacks), MLB Extra Innings/MLB.TV (subscription packages)

Reds vs. Diamondbacks Pitching Matchup

• Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo (2022: seven starts, 2-4, 3.23 ERA)
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (2022: 11 starts, 4-2, 2.95 ERA)

Reds vs. Diamondbacks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Cincinnati Reds +108
• Arizona Diamondbacks -126

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-114)
• UNDER 7.5 (-106)

Run Line

• Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-210)
• Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 (+172)

Gallen Likely to Return to Win Column Against Cincinnati

After turning in a number of impressive outings in a 2021 season in which he went 4-10 with a 4.30 ERA, Gallen has been one of the National League’s better pitchers thus far this season.

But he comes into this matchup with Cincinnati following his shortest start of the season, in which he allowed six runs (four earned) and seven hits, including two homers, in just 1.2 innings in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies last Friday.

That was the second time in his last four starts that Gallen allowed six runs, after he gave up six runs and seven hits in 5.1 innings in a win–he received a no-decision–against the Kansas City Royals on May 24.

But odds are favorable that the 26-year-old righty will have a much better outing against the Reds. Friday was the fourth time in 54 starts with the Diamondbacks that Gallen gave up six or more runs.

In the starts following the previous three instances, he is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, and the Diamondbacks have won all three games. Additionally, he has gone at least 5.2 innings and allowed two or fewer runs in each start.

A pattern of run support on both sides also favors Gallen and the Diamondbacks. Arizona has scored three or more runs in nine of Gallen’s 11 starts this season, including five of his six home start, and is 4-2 in those six games.

On the other side, Cincinnati has scored two or fewer runs in all four of Castillo’s starts on the road thus far this season and has posted a 1-3 record in those four games.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction and Best Bets

Reds vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Diamondbacks to win

Reds vs. Diamondbacks Best Bets: Diamondbacks ML (-126 at BetOnline) & UNDER 7.5 (-106 at BetOnline & BetUS)

Arizona has fallen off since they were over .500 a few weeks ago, losing 13 of 19 games. But they have done a pretty good job this season of not getting swept by anyone other than the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have done it to them twice (and both times in four-game series).

And with their best pitcher on the mound in this matchup, they are good value to keep that going against Castillo and Cincinnati, especially with the run support that Castillo has not been getting.

Also, there have been only nine overs in the Diamondbacks’ 32 home games this season, which is the lowest hit rate in the league and makes them only one of two teams–the Houston Astros, also at nine, are the other–in single digits in this specific spot.

With two aces pitching, another under should be the expectation and the play here.