Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Cincinnati Reds will travel to take on the Atlanta Braves for some opening day baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia and can be viewed on ESPN2. 

Score Prediction

Cincinnati 4, Atlanta 3  

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Predictions

The Reds finished the 2021 season third in the NL Central with an overall record of 83-79. Tyler Mahle will get the start for Cincinnati. Mahle was 13-6 last season with an ERA of 3.75. The team looks a bit different than last season as key players Tucker Barnhart, Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, and Eugenio Suarez all went elsewhere this offseason. That will leave most of the offensive production in the hands of Joey Votto, Jonathan India, Mike Moustakas, and Nick Senzel.  

The Atlanta Braves will look to recapture last year's magic after winning the World Series. The Braves will go without Freddie Freeman this season after he signed with the Dodgers during the offseason. Following Freemans departure, Atlanta picked up 2021 All Star first baseman Matt Olson from Oakland via trade. Left-handed pitcher Max Fried will take the Mound for the Braves. Fried finished last season with a 14-7 record and an ERA of 3.04.  

These two teams saw very different off seasons. The Reds lost some of their best players and did not pick up much talent to replace them. The Braves also lost key players but added plenty of talent to make up for the loss. With that being said, I think Cincinnati manages to keep it within one run. The Reds drove in 118 runners in just 18 spring training games and some of that offense should carry into opening day. 

Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Odds

  • Reds +165
  • Braves -195
  • Reds +1.5 (-125)
  • Braves -1.5 (+105)
  • Over 8.5 (-110)
  • Under 8.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Atlanta has won seven straight home games when facing the NL. (Getty)

Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Resources

  • Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022
  • Matchup: NL East
  • Stadium: Nationals Park
  • Location: Washington, D.C.
  • TV-Time: ESPN+ - 4:05 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds Betting Analysis

Cincinnati finished last season with an ATS record of 72-90, 32-49 at home and 40-41 on the road. The Reds have not had recent success against Atlanta, going 3-6 SU in their last nine games against Atlanta.  The total went over in 83 of Cincinnati’s 162 games played last season. The total has also gone over in six of Cincinnati’s last seven games against a National League opponent.  

The Reds arguably lost their two best hitters this off season in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker. Cincinnati will now rely on NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and Cincinnati staple Joey Votto to lead the way on the offensive end. India finished last season with 21 HR and 69 RBI’s while Votto finished with 36 HR and 99 RBI’s. Cincinnati had the second most runs scored in the NL preseason and will look to continue that success opening day. 

 Tyler Mahle will get his first opening day start after finishing last season 13-6. In his 10.2 innings pitched during spring training Mahle had an ERA of 3.38 and finished 12th in the majors last season with 210 strikeouts. In his only start against the Braves last season, Mahle went 6.0 innings while giving up four runs.  

Atlanta Braves Betting Analysis

Atlanta finished last season with an ATS record of 88-87, going 33-55 at home and 55-32 on the road. Going back to last season, the Braves are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games after an impressive playoff run. The total went under in 84 of Atlanta’s 174 games played last season including five of their last seven. Following this trend, the total has gone under in seven of their last nine games against Cincinnati.  

The Braves enter opening day with the fourth best odds to win the World Series at +1200. While Atlanta looks a bit different this season, they are still very talented. Newly acquired Matt Olson will be relied upon after hitting 39 HR and 111 RBI’s last season. Dansby Swanson, Eddie Rosario, and Austin Riley will also be key factors in the lineup this season.

Atlanta will be missing right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr who is expected to miss a few weeks recovering from a knee injury.  
Max Fried will make his second opening day start for Atlanta after finishing last season with a 14-7 record, 3.04 ERA, and two shutouts. Fried allowed two runs or less in three of his five post season starts. He has seen plenty of success against his opponent, having allowed just two hits in 22 at-bats to Cincinnati’s projected starting lineup.  

Key Players to Watch

  • CIN: Jonathan India - 3B (.269 avg, 21 HR, 69 RBI)
  • CIN: Joey Votto - 1B (.266 avg, 36 HR, 99 RBI)
  • ATL: Austin Riley - 3B (.303 avg, 33 HR, 107 RBI)
  • ATL: Ozzie Albies - 2B (.259 avg, 30 HR, 106 RBI)

Probable Pitchers

  • CIN: Tyler Mahle - RHP (13-6, 3.75 ERA, 210 K, 1.23 WHIP)
  • ATL: Max Fried - LHP (14-7, 3.04 ERA, 158 K, 1.09 WHIP)

Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Conclusion

The Braves are the better team here, but emotions will be running high in Atlanta with opening day and the celebration of the World Series. I expect Mahle to have a strong start in this one and allow Cincinnati to keep it a close game. Taking the Reds +1.5 here.