MLB Betting Odds – Seattle Mariners vs Cincinnati Reds

The NL Central leading Cincinnati Reds travel to the northwest to begin a three game interleague series against the worst team in the AL West, the Seattle Mariners. Despite being on the opposite end of the standings, the Seattle Mariners have a great chance to win tonight as they send Cliff Lee to the mound.

The MLB odds makers like the Mariners chances as they have the Seattle as -155 favorites. The comeback on the Reds is +135 and the game total is 6½ runs. 

MLB Betting Odds

June 18, 2010

Cincinnati Reds               +1½ -160              +135
Johnny Cueto – R                             
Game Total         6½
Seattle Mariners              -1½ +140              -155
Cliff Lee – L

Location: Safeco Field, Seattle WA
Game Time: 10:10pm
TV: FSOH, FSNW

Cliff Lee’s stay in Seattle won’t last the season, as he’s on everyone’s list of players most likely to be traded at the MLB trade deadline.  Cliff Lee came to the Mariners in the Roy Halladay trade that sent the big right-hander to Philly from Toronto. The Mariners had big expectations for Lee and the rest of the team but it became evident the mix of players and pitching wasn’t going to get it done for Seattle.

Seattle is 13 games back of first place Texas in the West and they’ll start dumping salaries at the earliest opportunity.

The Reds still hold on to first place in the NL Central, a spot that most pundits thought would belong to the St. Louis Cardinals but the Reds just won’t go away. They are getting surprising pitching performances from their rotation and probably none more than tonight starter Johnny Cueto. Cueto is 6-1 despite a 4.50 ERA. He’s won his past six decisions but his ERA has ballooned in his last three start outings where he’s averaged a run an inning pitched.

Even with the Cueto giving up more runs than he should, the Cincinnati bats are picking him up. Joey Votto is on a five game hitting streak and is in a tie with Scott Rolen for the team lead with 14 homeruns.  He’s hit three in the past four games.

History isn’t on the Reds side as they have lost 5 of 6 interleague games against the Mariners with their only victory coming back in 2007.

These are two different teams that the ones that played previously, Cliff Lee will have a good game but he’ll need to throw a complete game if the Mariners are going to win tonight. The Reds bats are too hot and the Mariners bats won’t be enough to keep up.

The Reds at +135 is a solid play.