The Cincinnati Reds host the Atlanta Braves Thursday night at Great American Ball Park to begin a rare three-game series that starts in Cincinnati and ends in Tennessee. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. This game will be followed by a Friday afternoon rematch, and then both teams will travel to Bristol Motor Speedway for a special Saturday night matchup expected to draw over 85,000 fans.
Cincinnati enters the series on a high note after beating the Dodgers 5-2 on Wednesday. That win helped the Reds avoid a sweep and maintain their streak of not being swept in any of their 35 series this season. Atlanta is coming off a 1-0 extra-innings loss in Kansas City on Wednesday and has now lost five of its last six games.
CIN Preview – Abbott Looks to Keep Reds Rolling at Home
The Reds have been strong at home this season with a 31-24 record. They’ve won 23 of their last 35 games at Great American Ball Park and continue to find ways to win close games. Cincinnati sits at 56-52 on the year and added pieces at the trade deadline to stay in the playoff mix. They picked up third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from Pittsburgh and starting pitcher Zack Littell from Tampa Bay.
Andrew Abbott will start for the Reds. The lefty is 8-1 with a 2.09 ERA this season. He’s allowed more than one run in just five of his 18 starts and has been consistent every time out. Abbott went six innings in his last outing against Tampa Bay, giving up only one run. He also faced the Braves earlier this year on May 6, tossing five scoreless innings and striking out eight.
Offensively, Cincinnati has been average but productive in key spots. They average 4.55 runs per game and have outscored opponents 473-434 on the year. The bullpen has also been a strength. As a group, they have a 3.55 ERA, and several relievers—like Emilio Pagan, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow—have delivered quality innings in recent weeks. Their bullpen depth has helped them avoid extended losing streaks.
ATL Preview – Carrasco Makes Debut as Injuries Mount
Atlanta enters Thursday with a 45-61 record and just 19-35 on the road. The Braves were sellers at the deadline and are missing key players, including Ronald Acuña Jr. (calf), Chris Sale, and Spencer Schwellenbach. With multiple starting pitchers on the IL, Atlanta signed Carlos Carrasco from the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate earlier this week. Carrasco will make his debut for the Braves in this game.
Carrasco had a 5.91 ERA in six MLB starts this season but pitched better in Triple-A with a 3.27 ERA in 11 games. He has a strong track record against Cincinnati, going 5-0 with a 3.24 ERA in nine career appearances. At 38 years old, Carrasco brings experience to a rotation that’s been hit hard by injuries. The Braves hope he can provide steady innings in a tough road setting.
Without Acuña, the Braves have leaned on players like Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies to carry the offense. But Atlanta’s bats have been inconsistent. The team averages 4.18 runs per game, but they were shut out in 10 innings Wednesday. They’ve scored three runs or fewer in five of their last seven games. Their bullpen has also had issues, allowing 14 earned runs over their last 15.2 innings. Their team ERA has climbed to 4.47.
Betting Prediction
The Reds are heavy favorites at -170 on the moneyline. The Braves come in as +140 underdogs. The total is set at 9.5 runs. The Reds have been profitable at home, especially on the run line, covering in 21 of their last 35 home games. Atlanta has covered the run line just 25 times in its last 73 games and has struggled in first five inning bets all season.
Abbott has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season, and Cincinnati is 4-1 in his last five starts. Carrasco may eat innings for Atlanta, but the Braves’ recent offensive issues and road struggles make it tough to trust them in this spot. Cincinnati’s bullpen is deeper and more reliable than Atlanta’s, giving them the edge if the game is close late. Final score prediction: Reds 6, Braves 3.
Pick: Reds -170
