The Cincinnati Red exploded on Sunday to beat the Texas Rangers, 11-3. It was a rare OVER for the Reds who have gone under in 11 straight prior to Sunday's OVER. Still, this is a very good UNDER team and that's what I'm looking at here today as they faced one of the best staffs in baseball. The Astros did get shelled on Sunday by the Blue Jays, 0-12. A rare home blowout for the 1st place Astros. Houston will turn to Wade Miley today. Miley is 6-3 in 14 starts with a very good 3.14 ERA and 1.158 WHIP. Miley held the Orioles to no runs over six innings in his last start. Miley has also allowed three runs or fewer in every start this year but one (4 runs). The Reds start their Ace, Luis Castillo. Castillo is 6-1 in his 14 starts with a 2.31 ERA. Castillo has allowed one run in each of his last two starts. Two excellent starters here today along with a very good UNDER Reds team. I'm taking this one UNDER.

The New York Mets dropped to 34-37 with their loss on Sunday to the Cardinals, 3-4. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves increased to 42-30 with a 15-1 blowout of the Phillies on Sunday. It was the most runs the Braves have scored thus far in any game this season. The Braves increased their lead to 1.5 games over the Phillies for the NL Central lead while the Mets are in 3rd place, 6 1/2 games back. Zack Wheeler will start today for the Mets. Wheeler is 5-4 in his 14 starts with a 4.87 ERA and 1.286 WHIP. Wheeler gave up nine runs in his 4 2/3 inning start last timer out at the Yankees. The Braves will start Mike Soroka. Soroka is 7-1 this season with a nifty 1.92 ERA and 0.967 WHIP. Soroka had his worst start of the season last time out, allowing five runs over 5-innings to the Pirates. Prior to that start, Soroka had allowed one run or none in nine of his 10 starts. I like the Braves here today and Soroka to rebound with another great start. Play the Braves.

The Astros bring a two-game losing streak into tonight's contest while the Reds bring a two-game win streak. Houston lost to the Reds last night, 2-3 and on Sunday to Toronto, 0-12. Tonight they turn to Justin Verlander who is 9-2 in his 15 games this season. Verlander has 13 quality starts to go along with his 2.50 ERA and 0.735 WHIP. Verlander has allowed over three runs in a game just twice in his 14 starts and that was four runs. The Reds will send Anthony Desclafani to the hill. Desclafani is 3-3 in his 13 starts with just 3 quality starts. In addition, Desclafani has a 4.43 ERA and 1.323 WHIP. The Astros are too good to lose three straight, especially with their ACE on the mound tonight. I'm taking the Astros and laying 1.5 runs. Play Houston -1.5 runs.

 The Braves have won two straight coming into this game with the Mets. The Braves scored 15 runs, a season high on Sunday and then turned around and scored 12 runs on Monday over the Mets. The Mets will start Julio Teheran in this contest. Teheran is 5-4 in his 15 games with a 2.92 ERA and 1.188 WHIP. Teheran has been red-hot of late, allowing one run or no runs in each of his last eight start. That's four total runs in those eight starts. The Mets have lost two straight and four of their last five. The Mets start Jacob deGrom here tonight. deGrom is only 3-6 in his 14 starts with a 3.37 ERA and 1.125 WHIP. But more important, the Mets are 4-10 in his starts this year. Sure, deGrom is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but right now Teheran is just as good if not better and he's playing on a much better team that is pounding the ball right now. Somehow Teheran and the Braves are a home dog here and that's too much for me to pass on. Play the Braves.