Wednesday MLB betting preview: Padres at Reds, Indians at Mets

MLB free play: Reds moneyline

The Reds are poised to secure the series finale with the Padres on Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ballpark, as Luis Castillo (11-5, 3.10 ERA) will take the mound against Matt Strahm (5-8, 5.21 ERA), who could be serving as an "opener" for Chris Paddack (7-6, 3.44 ERA).

Castillo has solid home splits in 2019, as he's gone 7-4 with a 2.97 ERA and 0.990 WHIP (comparing favorably with his overall WHIP of 1.135). Those numbers were even better prior to an uncharacteristically poor start against the Cardinals on Aug. 16, in which he allowed eight earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Dominican native has produced a quality start in seven of his last nine efforts.

Strahm, who's turned in 11 scoreless appearances in 14 relief outings, is listed as the Padres' starter. His .848 OPS against as a starter this year got him relegated to the bullpen after the All-Star break. Paddack has struggled on the road during his rookie campaign, where he has a 2-4 record and a 4.23 ERA in 12 efforts. Look for Cincinnati shortstop José Iglesias, who is batting .379 over his last 15 games, to be a difference-maker in this one.

Cleveland Indians (74-52) at New York Mets (65-60), 7:10 p.m. ET

MLB free play: Cleveland moneyline

Two of the hottest second-half teams in the majors, the Indians (24-14) and the Mets (25-10), seek to halt the other's momentum in the second of a three-game series at Citi Field on Wednesday night. Based on Marcus Stroman's dubious beginning to his New York career, it appears Adam Plutko (5-3, 4.67 ERA) and the Tribe hold the upper hand.

Stroman (7-11, 3.21 ERA) owns a disconcerting 5.17 ERA and 1.851 WHIP in his brief tenure with the Mets. He has seen many of these Cleveland hitters before from his time in the American League, and the results have not been great for him. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, second baseman Jason Kipnis and outfielder Tyler Naquin are a combined 16-for-45 (.356) all-time off the Long Island native.

Plutko is fashioning his best month of the season for the Indians, with a 2-1 record and a 4.15 ERA through three starts in August. He's backed by a bullpen that is eighth in ERA (3.92) over the last 30 days.