The Cincinnati Reds (26-49) will host the Atlanta Braves (44-33) at Great American Ballpark for a 3-game series with Friday’s first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Braves vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied at 2 games apiece as the teams split their season-opening series April 7-10.
The Braves are coming off a 14-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, but did manage to win 2 of their 3 in the City of Brotherly Love. Atlanta is 10-3 over its last 4 road series which included sweeps of the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals.
The Reds also suffered an embarrassing defeat Thursday on the road, losing 15-7 to the Cubs. They’ll return home where they have lost 8 straight games. Cincinnati is 3-10 over its last 13.
Braves at Reds projected starters
LHP Max Fried vs. LHP Mike Minor
Fried (7-2, 2.77 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 8.8K/9 in 94 1/3 IP.
- Was ranked the 23rd-best pitcher in MLB to start the season and has not disappointed. He ended 2020 with a 7-0 record and was 14-7 last season.
- Has given up more than 2 ER in just 1 of his last 7 starts, but did struggle against Cincinnati in the season opener (5 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 1 BB and 5 K).
Minor (1-4, 7.71 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.60 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 25 2/3 IP.
- Walks are up and strikes are down from last season for the 34-year-old, who is allowing 10.9 hits per 9 IP as well.
- Minor has yet to have a game with a sub-6 ERA.
Braves at Reds odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:11 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Braves -260 (bet $260 to win $100) | Reds +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -2.5 (-105) | Reds +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +107 | U: -115)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Braves at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Reds 4
Money line
AVOID.
The Braves have an ace on the mound, and the Reds cannot say the same. Everything is pointing to Atlanta coming out on top, but with the money line at -260, there’s little value here.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 8/31/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN REDS +2.5 (-115).
While Fried has had a good season on the mount, he had 5 earned runs against Cincinnati to start the season, and the strikeout-heavy pitcher (ranking 18th in the majors) will actually face a team sitting 17th in strikeouts.
Atlanta has also beaten a team by 3 or more runs just once in their last 10 games. The Reds have the 4th-best home batting average which drops to 25th on the road, so they’ve been far better at GABP.
The Braves sport the better player on the mound, but it’s not a bet they will win by 3-plus runs.
Over/Under
BET OVER 9.5 (-107).
The Reds aren’t the worst team in the NL because they can’t score. Both the Reds and the Braves, 15th and 7th respectively, rank in the top half of the league in runs.
Cincinnati has gone over this total in 7 of its last 9 games. With Minor on the mound, although Atlanta has hit this total in just 2 of its last 7, expect the Braves to abuse the aging left-handed pitcher.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]