Braves vs. Reds Monday Prediction
The Atlanta Braves and struggling Cincinnati Reds will kick off a new series on Monday evening. Are the Braves a good bet to hand the Reds yet another loss or the home team surprise with an upset?
Game Snapshot & Odds
951 Atlanta Braves (-130) at 952 Cincinnati Reds (+110); 9 runs
Monday, April 23, 2018
6:40 p.m. ET, Great American Ball Park
TV: ATL (FSSO); CIN (FSO)
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Braves as a -130 favorite. As of this writing, 81% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Braves to beat the Reds on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Braves’ McCarthy stays perfect on the season following win vs. Phils
Brandon McCarthy earned his third win of the season by holding the Phillies to one run in 5 1/3 innings on Wednesday. He notched six strikeouts against two walks and surrendered five base hits — all singles. The only run he allowed came on a base hit by opposing pitcher Vince Velasquez.
He wasn’t able to go deep into the game but did last long enough to get credit for the victory. McCarthy has been a nice pickup by the Braves this year as he moves to 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA after four turns through the rotation.
Reds’ Romano coming off first positive start of 2018
Sal Romano surrendered two runs over five-plus innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday. One more bad outing might have put Romano’s rotation spot in jeopardy, so this will help. He pitched five scoreless innings tonight before giving up a walk, an Eric Thames homer and a single to start the sixth.
MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta
The Braves are a perfect 4-0 in McCarthy’s last four starts.
Cincinnati
The Reds have dropped five of Romano’s last six starts overall and are 2-5 in his last seven outings versus a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
I often look for opportunities to fade the public but this Cincinnati team is one of the worst in baseball. Destined to lose 90-plus games, I can’t back the Reds against a Braves team that has played well thus far and that is only -130 on the money line. The Reds are 3-13 in their last 16 home games, are 5-21 in their last 26 games against a right-handed starter and are 16-37 in their last 53 games overall. No thanks.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves -130