The Cincinnati Reds (52-41) and Atlanta Braves (53-40) will continue a four-game National League series Saturday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, as it picked up a 4-2 road victory over Atlanta as +123 underdogs Friday night, while going UNDER the betting total for the fifth time in six contests. The Reds are now 8-0 in Bronson Arroyo’s starts this year following a loss. “Sometimes there’s an urgency to the mood in the clubhouse,” commented Arroyo after last night’s win. Leadoff man Shin-Soo Choo has led the offense over a 10-game hitting streak, as he’s batted .405 over that stretch, while first baseman Joey Votto leads MLB with a .431 on-base percentage. Cincinnati is 6-10 as road underdogs of +100 to +125, with the UNDER going 9-7 in that situation.
Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (5-7, 3.70 ERA) was handed a 4-3 road loss by the Milwaukee Brewers last time out, as he allowed four runs and 10 hits over 5.2 frames. The right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.61 ERA in nine road outings, with opposing batters hitting .276 against him. In four career efforts versus the Braves, Bailey has compiled a 2-0 record and 3.42 ERA, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 5-4 home victory in the series on May 7.
Atlanta has also alternated wins and losses over its last four contests, while the OVER has cashed three times in that span. The Braves will likely play the rest of this series without the services of outfielder Jason Heyward, who is batting .227 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 67 games, as he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. Outfielders B.J. and Justin Upton could also be missing, as both left with potential injuries last night. Atlanta is 30-14 at home this season, with the UNDER going 21-20-3 in that situation.
Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (8-4, 3.05 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 7-1 road victory over the Miami Marlins last time out, as he allowed one run and six hits over 6.1 frames. The left-hander is 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA in nine home outings, issuing just eight walks and striking out 58 batters in 57.1 combined innings. In two career games versus the Reds, Minor has tallied an even 1-1 record and 3.46 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Braves, as the Reds are 1-8 in their last nine games as underdogs.
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