Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/9/2022

Time: 12:35 p.m. ET

Venue: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Where to watch: Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports Ohio

DraftKings: Reds -135, Diamondbacks +115

BetMGM: Reds -135, Diamondbacks +115

Caesars: Reds -141, Diamondbacks +130

Diamondbacks: 27-31

Reds: 20-36

The Arizona Diamondbacks desperately needed a win. Behind one of their top pitchers, they certainly got that in a 7-0 win on Wednesday in Cincinnati. Now, the Diamondbacks are in a position to garner a four-game split should they finish with a victory on Thursday.

We predicted this would be the case in our last preview for this game, with Merrill Kelly dominating the Reds' lineup in what was a much-needed victory for the struggling D-backs. Kelly gave up just one hit over six innings, and nearly flirted with a no-hitter.

"I felt the best I've felt in the last month," Kelly said. "My command was a lot better than it has been. My mentality was to be aggressive. Knowing that I had more life in my fastball put that thought into my head."

One day after the Reds teed off for a bunch of homers, the power-heavy D-backs returned the favor and got back to normal. The nine runs scored in the final last two innings on Wednesday absolutely took over in this one. Christian Walker homered in the fourth inning, followed by homers from Josh Rojas in the fifth and Jordan Luplow in the sixth to push a 4-0 lead.

Arizona had 11 hits and was able to tag Mike Minor for three runs on three hits in just 4.1 innings. Minor has now gotten rocked in two starts since joining the Reds.

"Their pitcher did a nice job," Reds manager David Bell said. "We weren't able to get anything going. We weren't able to square to ball up."

It helped that Alek Thomas robbed Joey Votto of a two-run homer to end the first inning. Thomas tracked back to left center, keeping the Reds off the board and essentially ripping the soul from Cincinnati's collective body.

"Off the bat, I thought it was long gone," Kelly said. "I thought there was no chance it was coming back. I was walking to the plate to get a new ball from (plate umpire) Angel (Hernandez) and I saw he was still watching the play, and I didn't hear any cheering from the crowd. When I looked, he was just coming down. I wasn't sure if he'd caught it or not. With a play like that, the momentum swings in your favor. It could've been a different ballgame."

Exactly. It could've been exactly like the last two games, but for Arizona to turn it around and show they can actually play well on the road is a solid sign. We've documented how bad Arizona has been in June in recent memory, but they were able to round out well.

Zach Davies will take the mound for Arizona against a struggling Tyler Mahle. It all depends who scores early and often, and I think the D-backs have the right mind frame to keep this train rolling. Arizona gets another win and escapes with the split. Diamondbacks win 7-3

Diamondbacks are 43-66 the past three seasons as an underdog between +100 and +150.

Diamondbacks are 42-96 on the road in the past three seasons.

Reds are 4-11 this season at home when the line is between +125 and -125.

Reds are 14-37 against NL West opponents the past three seasons.

Reds are 11-16 at home this season.

D-backs:
Daulton Varsho (L) DH
Josh Rojas (L) 3B
Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Christian Walker (R) 1B
David Peralta (L) LF
Pavin Smith (L) RF
Alek Thomas (L) CF
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS
Jose Herrera (S) C
SP - Zach Davies

Reds:
Nick Senzel (R) CF
Brandon Drury (R) 3B
Tommy Pham (R) DH
Joey Votto (L) 1B
Tyler Stephenson (R) C
Kyle Farmer (R) SS
Albert Almora Jr. (R) LF
Aristides Aquino (R) RF
Matt Reynolds (R) 2B
SP - Tyler Mahle

Batting average: Ketel Marte -- .268

Home runs: Christian Walker -- 15

RBI: Christian Walker -- 28

Wins: Merrill Kelly -- 5

ERA: Zac Gallen -- 2.40

Batting average: Kyle Farmer -- .266

Home runs: Brandon Drury -- 11

RBI: Kyle Farmer -- 32

Wins: Hunter Greene -- 3

ERA: Hunter Greene -- 5.40