Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
After the Cincinnati Reds (1-0) ruined their home opener, the Atlanta Braves (0-1) will look for redemption as they play the second game of the series on Friday. The Braves will host this one at Truist Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:20 pm ET.
On Thursday, the Reds were able to take down Atlanta 6-3. In the win, Brandon Drury homered and had three runs batted in for Cincinnati. Tyler Mahle picked up the win after allowing one run (no earned) in five innings and struck out seven.
For the Braves, third baseman Austin Riley led the offense going three for four with a home run and two runs batted in. Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, Max Fried struggled as he gave up five runs in 5.2 innings.
The Braves are the favorites playing at home in this one. They are -188 to win while the Reds’ moneyline sits at +158. The runline features Cincinnati +1.5 (-128), and the over/under for total runs is 8.5.
Pitching Matchup
The Reds will send Reiver Sanmartin to the mound to take on the Braves’ Charlie Morton.
Last season, Sanmartin pitched in two games, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA. The 25-year-old also had a 1.20 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 11.2 innings for the Reds.
The last time Charlie Morton was on the field, he was leaving the World Series with a broken leg after taking a liner off the leg from Astros’ Yuli Gurriel.
Now fully healthy, Morton looks to build off of last season’s success. In 2021, he went 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and had 216 strikeouts in 185.2 innings pitched.
By The Number
Last season, both of these teams ranked in the top-10 in scoring. Cincinnati ranked eighth, averaging 4.85 runs per game. The Braves ranked ninth, averaging 4.83 runs.
Defensively, it was all Atlanta. They ranked fourth in scoring defense, allowing 4.01 runs per game. The Reds ranked 20th, allowing 4.69 runs.
Reds Trying To Defy Odds in 2022
Despite being just +7000 to win the National League and trading away many of their proven veterans, the Reds are trying to prove they can still contend in 2022. With a lineup anchored by veteran Joey Votto, the team is hoping to take the first two from the defending champions.
Last season, Votto hit .266/.375/.563 with 36 home runs, 99 runs batted in, and 73 runs scored. At 38-years-old, Votto defied his age last season and will look to serve as a veteran presence for a young Reds’ team.
One player who is looking to build off of a breakout season last year is second baseman Jonathan India. In 2021, he hit .269/.376/.459 with 21 home runs, 69 runs batted in, 98 runs, and 12 stolen bases.
Braves Trying To Bounce Back From Poor Opening Night
After celebrating a World Series championship last year, it was a bit of a letdown to drop the first game to a Reds’ team that isn’t expected to compete this year. Last season, the Braves finished 42-38 in games at Truist Park. On Friday, they will look to pick up their first victory.
Homering in the opener, third baseman Austin Riley is trying to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. In 590 at bats last year, he hit .303/.367/.531 with 33 home runs, 107 runs batted in, and 91 runs scored.
While the Braves lost first baseman, Freddie Freeman, to the Dodgers in free agency, they brought in another All-Star in Matt Olson, to take his spot. Hitless in the opener, Olson hit .271/.371/.540 with 39 home runs, 111 runs batted in, and 101 runs scored with the Oakland A’s last year.
Take The Braves To Bounce Back In Game 2
With the second-best odds to win the National League this season, the Braves are expected to be a force in the NL East this year. While they may not have shown that dominance in the opener, expect them to bounce back on Friday.
Charlie Morton is one of the most consistent veteran pitchers in the game and may be the best pitcher to help the Braves pick up their first win.
Take Atlanta to win on Friday, and don’t be surprised if they cover the -1.5 on the runline.
