The Cardinals are already off to a great start, but now their offense is starting to come alive with 4 or more runs in 7 straight games and they have hit much better off RHP which they will face here today. Homer Bailey makes his first start after a so so year in 2014. Bailey is coming off the DL to start the year and I don't anticipate him going deep into this game which means more issues for the Reds bullpen which is already ranked 27th to start the year with a 4.70 ERA compared with the Cardinals fresh bullpen ranking 3rd with a 1.82 ERA. Bailey also has had enormous issues with the Cardinal hitters in 200 AB against he's allowed a .360 average and a 1.013 OPS. Sure he's had his occasional quality start, but he's just got a lot going against him against a healthy Cardinals line up that just has really killed him in the past. Bailey also has not been typically at his best in April posting a 4.10 ERA over the last 3 years along with a 3.93 ERA during those day starts.

Cardinals will start somewhat of an unknown here to the majority of the public in Carlos Martinez. Martinez is the typical Cardinal young stud pitcher. He's pitched a lot in the bullpen and is making his slow transition into the starting rotation. This can be his year, but he's still just 23. Martinez has one of the best swing and strike rates at 12.9% and he's already proven it against this line up in his first start of the year going 6 innings and striking out 8. He allowed 2 runs but both were off solo home runs which I expect him to eliminate here at home. He also does not have to go deep into this game as the Cardinals bullpen is strong after Wacha and Lackey went 7 innings the last two nights. Martinez weakness is walking guys, but the Reds are in the bottom half of the league in drawing walks and were 25th in walks a year ago while being in the top half of the league in strikeouts. This is a good match up for Martinez and I don't think 1 start vs. the Reds will be enough for Cinci to have any type of advantage.

Where to find Freddy?