Reds vs. Braves prediction, odds, picks

The Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Monday at Truist Park. We’re in Atlanta, sharing our MLB odds series and offering a Reds-Braves prediction and pick as we evaluate both teams.

Reds-Braves expected starters

Hunter Greene in return for Reynaldo Lopez

Hunter Greene (6-4) with an ERA of 3.34

Final Start: Greene dominated in his final game, pitching six innings, allowing one run and two hits, striking out 10 and walking two in a win over the Colorado Rockies.

2024 Away Games: Greene has a better road performance, going 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts away from Great American Ballpark.

Reynaldo Lopez (7-3) with an ERA of 1.88

Final Start: Lopez was unlucky in his final game, allowing three earned runs, 11 hits and two strikeouts in a loss to the San Diego Padres.

2024 Home Games: Lopez has been a standout at home, posting a 4-0 record and 1.24 ERA in nine starts at Truist Park.

Here are the MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

MLB Odds: Reds-Braves Odds

Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-162)

Moneyline: +132

Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+134)

Moneyline: -156

More than: 8 (-104)

Below: 8 (-118)

How to Watch Reds vs. Braves

Time: 7:20pm ET/4:20pm PT

TV: Bally Sport Ohio

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why the Reds will cover the spread/profit

The Reds are still in the race for the wildcard. However, they need to start winning more before time runs out. It hasn’t been easy for the Reds as they have dealt with several injuries, including a season-ending ailment to Christian Encarnacion-Strand and a shoulder injury to Matt McLain that has kept him out since the start of the season. While McLain is set to return soon, the Reds will have to rely on their other players to get the job done.

Cincinnati is ranked 12th in batting average. However, they are the best team in the majors in stolen bases. Elly De La Cruz is headlining Cincinnati and continues to thrill fans at Great American Ballpark. Now he is hoping he can get on base and find a way to grab more bases and help the Reds generate some offense.

Jonathan India and Spencer Steer have tried to help De La Cruz get some runs for the Reds. Ultimately, they’re both fast and can make some headway on the basepaths. But they need to get on base to give Greene some run support.

Greene has been really good this season. It’s telling that he’s had two straight good starts and has allowed one earned run in his last two outings. When Greene is done, he’ll turn it over to a bullpen that’s the fifth-best in baseball. If they have the lead in the ninth inning, they’ll turn the ball over to Alexis Diaz, who is 1-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 19 saves in 21 chances.

The Reds will cover the spread if De La Cruz, India and Steer can get on base and give Cincinnati some offense. They will need Greene to overcome this dangerous lineup and the bullpen to hold the line.

Why the Braves Will Cover the Spread/Win

The Braves have persevered this season despite losing their best hitter and pitcher. Now they must overcome another obstacle: Atlanta has placed Max Fried on the 15-day injured list. He is currently battling left forearm neuritis. Fried was originally scheduled to start Sunday. Then the Braves moved his start to Monday. Eventually, they realized he wouldn’t be able to play, so they placed him on the injured list, retroactive to July 18.

The offense needs to step up to make up for any shortfalls. Unfortunately, they’ve fallen to 17th in batting average and aren’t making as much contact as they were earlier in the season. Marcell Ozuna needs to continue producing to get this offense up. He’ll also need help from Matt Olson and Austin Riley to give the Braves a legitimate chance to win this one.

Lopez has been efficient for most of the season. Now he faces a speedy Cincinnati squad that will do everything it can to disrupt his focus. When Lopez is done, he will turn it over to the second-best bullpen in baseball. Raisel Iglesias leads that bullpen with a 1-1 record with a 1.96 ERA and 22 saves in 24 chances.

The Braves will cover the spread if their hitters can score some runs, then they need Lopez to pitch an efficient game.

Latest Reds-Braves prediction and pick

The Reds are one of the best teams in the majors when it comes to covering the run-line record. Oddly enough, the Braves are one of the worst, despite being the best wild-card team in the National League. This indicates that the Braves win a lot of close games, and the Reds win their games or cover the spread, especially when they are the underdogs. We like Greene here on the visit, and we believe he will dominate this lineup and find a way to help the Reds cover the spread.

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Latest Reds-Braves prediction and pick: Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-162)