Braves vs Reds Preview: Stopping Cincinnati’s Streak?

Can the Surprising Cincinnati Reds Keep on Winning Against the NL-Leading Braves?

Two MLB teams piling up the wins at a fast and furious pace will be getting together for a weekend series the Atlanta Braves head to Cincinnati to face a Reds team that has won 11 games in a row. The Braves vs Reds preview begins with visiting Atlanta priced at -152/+140 to win game one with a total set at 10.5 +/-110

Atlanta headed into Thursday’s game against Philadelphia with 23 road wins, the most in the majors. Cincinnati has been the picture of consistency with a 20-18 record at home and a 20-17 mark on the road.

When looking at the MLB pitching matchups, the Braves will turn to 20-year-old AJ Smith-Shawyer and 24-year-old Jared Shuster in the first two games before veteran Charlie Morton in the series finale.

Cincinnati’s Game 2 starter is still yet to be determined. Luke Weaver, who has a 10.13 ERA in three June starts, is expected to start for Cincinnati on Friday.

The Braves have the best odds at +450 to win the MLB World Series. The Reds are still well back at +10000 in the championship odds despite moving into first place in the National League Central Division.

Probable Starting Pitchers

• Friday: AJ Smith-Shawver (Braves) vs Luke Weaver (Reds)
• Saturday: Jared Shuster (Braves) vs To Be Determined (Reds)
• Sunday: Charlie Morton (Braves) vs Ben Lively (Reds)

Relief Coming In Waves

While the Braves have been able to overcome the absences of key starting pitchers, it is hard to overlook the role the bullpen has had in Atlanta’s rise to the best record in the National League.

Heading into Thursday’s matchup with Philadelphia, Ben Heller and Jesse Chavez have yet to allow a run in June. Collin McHugh, A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez have ERAs under 2.00. The work of the bullpen is part of the reason why Atlanta is listed as the favorite according to the Braves vs Reds preview.

The pitching depth will continue to be tested with Chavez on the injured list due to a shin injury.

Five of Atlanta’s last seven games heading into Thursday’s action finished over the total.

All Hands on Deck For Reds

A team doesn’t win 11 games in a row without contributions up and down the batting order.

Outfielder Jake Fraley might be overshadowed by some of the Cincinnati youngsters. However, he has four home runs and a .375 batting average in June.

Rookie Elly De La Cruz and Will Benson, in his first season with the Reds, are both hitting over .300. T.J. Friedl has a .300 average and Jonathan India leads the team with five home runs. Even with those impressive number, the Braves vs Reds preview lists Cincinnati as the underdog for Friday’s opener.

Four of Cincinnati’s last five games finished over the total.

Who’s Hot

• Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds IF: De La Cruz is hitting .455 with four extra-base hits over his last five games.
• Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves OF: Heading into Thursday’s action, Harris was batting .516 with two doubles, three home runs, eight runs and nine RBIs in his last eight games.
• A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves P: Minter has surrendered one hit and no runs with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings in his last five appearances.
• Lucas Sims, Cincinnati Reds P: Sims hasn’t allowed a hit in his last four appearances. In 10 games in June, he has surrendered two hits, no runs with 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

Who’s Not

• Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves P: Iglesias gave up 11 hits and five runs in four innings in a recent four-game stretch.
• Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves IF: Riley ended a 10-game stretch with no extra-base hits with a home run on Tuesday.
• Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds OF: Senzel is 1-for-13 with four strikeouts in his five games. His one hit is a home run in a win over Colorado.
• Luke Weaver, Cincinnati Reds P: Weaver has given up 21 hits, two home runs and 15 runs in 13.1 innings in his last three starts. He has eight walks during that span.

Braves vs Reds Injury Update

Atlanta catcher Sean Murphy is dealing with a hamstring injury, but is said to be making progress. Chavez is on the 15-day injured list.

Hunter Greene, who leads the Reds with 100 strikeouts, is the latest Cincinnati pitcher to land on the injured list.

Braves vs Reds Betting Preview

Two of the National League division leaders will be squaring off and based on the 11-run total in the series opener, there could be plenty of offense in this three-game set.

The Braves lead the majors with a .479 slugging percentage and OPS of .818. In the month of June, Atlanta is first and Cincinnati seventh in slugging percentage.

Atlanta has won three straight and seven of the last nine against Cincinnati after sweeping a series back in April.

Each of the last four meetings between the Braves and Reds were one-run affairs.

Atlanta was 41-22 as a favorite going into Thursday’s game with the Phillies. Cincinnati is 26-27 when listed as the underdog.

Cincinnati is 22-16 against the spread at home. Not including Thursday’s game, Atlanta has covered in 20 of the 34 road games this MLB season.

UPDATED ODDS GAME 1: Braves -152/+140, Total 10.5 +/-110

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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