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Cincinnati Reds (37-32) @ Oakland Athletics (33-37)

Date: Monday June 21st, 2010

Time: 10:05 pm EST

Preview: Losers of two straight games, the Cincinnati Reds have fallen to 1.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the National League Central division. The Reds will look to avoid a three game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon. Cincinnati will turn to opening day starter Aaron Harang to garner them a win in that one. On Monday the Reds will start a three game series in Oakland. Cincinnati will send rookie Mike Leake to the mound. Leake is 5-1 with a 3.02 earned run average in his first major league season. Leake won his first five decisions, until the Dodgers beat him on June 16th. Cincinnati has used one of the most explosive offensives in the National League to surge to the top of the division. The Reds are fifth in all of baseball with a .276 batting average, and third in homeruns with 83. Joey Votto leads the team with a .315 batting average, and 14 homeruns.

For Oakland, they will look to avoid the three game sweep on Sunday as well, in St. Louis, against the Cardinals. The good news for them is they will have their hottest pitcher on the mound – as Trevor Cahill will look to win his sixth straight decision. In his last outing, the 22 year old right hander beat the Cubs, by going 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs. Oakland has fallen well off pace in the American League West; now 8 games behind the Texas Rangers. The Athletics have been absolutely horrid on the road, winning just 12 of 36. Against the Reds on Monday, Oakland will send Gio Gonzalez to the mound. Gonzalez is 6-5 with a 4.21 earned run average.

Our prediction for this game: home sweet home for Oakland, as the Athletics beat the Reds 5-4.