There's situational value Friday on the Reds as they look to recover from squandering a three-run lead in the series opener Thursday against the Cardinals. St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright has long struggled against Cincinnati, with a 9-12 record and 5.01 ERA in 25 career starts against the Reds. Joey Votto is hitting .306 against him with three homers and eight RBI. Reds starter Tyler Mahle has struggled this season, but he is a respectable 2-2 with a 3.62 ERA at home.Back the Reds in this one.

The Reds are fading fast, and Tyler Mahle was losing even when the Reds were winning. The Reds have lost 12 of his last 15 starts, including his past four. The Reds have lost their last three while the Cardinals have won five of their last six. The Cards have won Adam Wainwright's last two starts; he allowed just two runs combined in those. I'm on the Cardinals.