Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds, prediction and odds, Mon., 8/15: Phils need to jump start offense

Yardbarker Quick Pick

Cincinnati may have ended its five-game losing streak on Sunday, but don't expect the Reds to get hot all of a sudden. Mike Minor has an ERA just under six this month and the Reds are 0-9 in his last nine starts, which is why we're taking the Phillies -1.5 (-110) on the runline. Meanwhile, Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard has allowed fewer than three runs in five of his last six starts, adding more confidence in Philadelphia covering on the runline. — Jared Shlensky, Yardbarker

Odds via OddsChecker: Click here for LIVE updates

Philadelphia Phillies: +1.5 (+112) spread, +180 moneyline, over 9 (-115)
Cincinnati Reds: -1.5 (-102) spread, -160 moneyline, under 9 (+100)

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out our FREE bets page

The Phillies won't have injured star Bryce Harper for the series as he continues his rehabilitation schedule in an attempt to return from a broken thumb. Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson did announce Sunday that Harper will take batting practice on the field Monday for the first time since suffering the injury on June 25.

"It's getting there," the skipper reported. "He's making progress. It's good. Getting him on the field is huge."

After dealing with Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt the last two days, the Phillies would seem to have the pitching advantage Monday when they send right-hander Noah Syndergaard (6-8, 3.96 ERA) against Reds veteran lefty Mike Minor (1-9, 6.24).

Betting on Phils-Reds? Claim this DraftKings promo code, and you can get $1000 deposit bonus when joining DraftKings Sportsbook today!

Syndergaard has never lost to the Reds in his career, going 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA in six starts. The Reds haven't seen him since he threw a complete-game shutout against them, allowing four hits and striking out 10, in a 1-0 Mets win in May 2019.

The 29-year-old is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts since joining the Phillies from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. The Phillies have won both his starts, including his most recent, when he held Miami to two runs in six innings in a 4-3 win last Wednesday.

Syndergaard will see a Reds team potentially recharged after getting multiple-hit games from six players in an 8-5 home victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak that included a 4-2 defeat in the Field of Dreams matchup with the Cubs in Iowa on Thursday.

Joey Votto went 0-for-5 in what was otherwise a memorable day; he became the Canadian-born player with the most games in major league history. Votto's 1,989th game moved him past Larry Walker atop the list.

Betting on Reds-Phils? Join BetMGM today and get a $1000 risk-free bet! Click here to claim this exclusive BetMGM promotion today.

The Reds were able to celebrate a win as well thanks in large part to reliever Alexis Diaz, who faced bases-loaded and two-on situations with one out in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, before retiring two straight batters on each occasion to retain a three-run lead.

"I think for any pitcher to get five outs to end the game is special," Reds manager David Bell gushed. "He looked really comfortable, not that it was easy."

Little has been easy for Minor this season. He's winless since June 13, a nine-game stretch in which he's gone 0-7 with a 5.89 ERA. The Reds have lost all nine of those games.

The 34-year-old has gone 2-5 with a 3.60 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, in his career against the Phillies. He hasn't faced them since September 2014 for the Atlanta Braves.

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out our free bets page