The Cincinnati Reds take on the San Francisco Giants. Check out our MLB odds series for our Reds Giants prediction and pick.

Tyler Mahle goes to the hill for the Reds, while Anthony DeSclafani takes the mound for the Giants.

Tyler Mahle has a 4.57 ERA, but like a number of other pitchers with relatively bloated ERAs this year, Mahle is improving. His ERA is so high because he started the season horribly. Mahle registered a 6.45 ERA in the month of April, 4.88 in May. In June, however, his ERA is 2.67. The big question is how much that ERA is the product of the teams he is pitching against. In three outings against the Diamonbacks (two separate starts) and the Nationals (one start), Mahle threw 21 innings and gave up just four runs on 15 hits. In his most recent start, the Dodgers tagged him for 12 hits in six innings. How does this set up Sunday's game against the Giants? It's a fascinating question people will have to wrestle with. This is a great test of where Mahle truly is in his evolution. If he passes this exam, it will be a lot easier to say that Mahle's improvement is for real.

Anthony DeSclafani, who used to pitch for the Reds, has a 7.71 ERA, but this is based on only four starts and just 16 1/3 innings pitched. DeSclafani has pitched five complete innings in only one appearance this year. Rust and a lack of stamina characterize his journey thus far in 2022. The Giants hope he will build strength and resilience. He was a good pitcher for this team before injuries got in the way. We will see if he can become the pitcher he once was.

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Reds-Giants MLB odds.

MLB Odds: Reds-Giants Odds

Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-164)

San Francisco Giants: -1.5 (+136)

Over: 8 (-105)

Under: 8 (-115)

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Why The Reds Could Cover the Spread

Anthony DeSclafani is not the pitcher he once was, or at the very least, we haven't seen the vintage version of DeSclafani in 2022. Maybe that pitcher will show up and smother the Reds, but would you really want to bet on that happening, given what you've seen from him so far this season in a very small amount of innings pitched? DeSclafani has given up almost twice as many hits (28) as innings pitched (16 1/3) this season. Until he shows he has turned the corner, it's better to bet against him.

Why The Giants Could Cover the Spread

After seeing Tyler Mahle carve up the Diamondbacks in consecutive starts earlier in June, it was easy to think Mahle had himself turned the corner. Then he gave up four runs on 12 hits against the Dodgers last week, and he was lucky he didn't give up more than four runs. The jury is still out on how much Mahle has truly evolved as a pitcher. Skepticism is warranted, and the Giants — after crushing the Reds on Saturday — might have another big-scoring day in San Francisco.

Final Reds-Giants Prediction & Pick

If you think you know how well either starting pitcher will perform in this game, go right on ahead. Realistically, this is a game you should stay away from. If you insist on making a pick, it's a lot better to focus on the total than the team which will win or cover the spread. The over-under of eight runs begs for an over. Unless DeSclafani suddenly improves, this certainly feels like a 6-4 or 6-5 kind of game.

Final Reds-Giants Prediction & Pick: Over 8