The Coach's MLB Very Early SURE SHOT - Reds@Indians
(MLB) Cincinnati vs. Cleveland, 05/24/2015 9:10 AM, Score: 2 - 5
Point Spread: 1.50 | -130.00 Cincinnati (Away)
Result: Loss
The reeling Cincinnati Reds have lost all of their last seven games, the first two of a three game set at Progressive Field included. The Cleveland Indians meanwhile have won five straight and seven of their last nine, and everything combined leads to the visitors coming in underrated here, and I like the price we get on them to record an upset.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Tribe will hand the ball to Trevor Bauer (3-1, 3.31 ERA) who's coming off a pair of spectacular outings, giving up one run on four hits over 7 1/3 innings in back-to-back starts. One of the starts came home at Progressive Field where he's otherwise struggled on the year, compiling a 5.34 ERA over five starts. The Reds will counter with 25 year old rookie Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 3.94 ERA) who is back in the rotation filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto. He had a 2.77 ERA in two starts before Cincinnati opted to go with a four-man rotation and he's been particularly tough on right-handed hitters, holding them to a collective .172 batting average.

2. Brandon Philips and Jay Bruce - The Reds duos bats have been glowing of late with Bruce going 11-for-22 during a six-game hitting streak and Philips 6-for-13 in his last three. Philips is batting .377 on the road this season and I predict more success this afternoon.

3. X-Factor - The Reds had nine hits off Corey Kluber but went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in Saturday's 2-1 loss. Those things tend to even themselves out and as long as Cincy keeps putting itself in favorable situations it'll turn things around sooner rather than later.

Selection: This is a play on the Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (10*)