I really like this pitching match up as I think the Reds have the advantage on both sides of the field despite being on the road against a solid Washington club. Leake has been just great all year long and has a 2.25 ERA on the road this year. Oh what could have been if Steven Strasburg came up to pitch this game we could have had the two stud rookies face off against each other. Leake goes up against Luis Atilano who has been solid overall, but not at home where he has given up a total of 12 ER in his last 2 home starts, and has a 7.47 ERA here as well as a 6.06 ERA in his last 3 overall starts. I think the Reds have the bats to rough up Atilano and Leake just has too much composure not to hold the Nationals down.
Nats just 2-8 in their last 10 as under dogs, and the Reds are 17-5 in their last 22 vs. a losing team on the road and are an amazing 35-17 in their last 52 games vs. starter with a whip greater than 1.30.
