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Reds vs Braves Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Cincinnati Spoils Opener for Reigning Champions

Odds Defied on Opening Day

The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series champions and the Cincinnati Reds are projected to be one of the two or three worst teams in baseball. Opening Day proved that’s why you play the game with the Reds getting a 6-3 road win to cash in as pretty significant underdogs. Most people are expecting a Braves bounce back on Friday – but will they? 

Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for the Reds vs Braves. We’ve plenty of MLB predictions.

Reds vs Braves Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
JUSTIN K. ALLER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

Reds Show Pop 

It was almost assumed that the Braves would get their 2022 title defense off to a great start with a relaxing four-game visit from the Cincinnati Reds did go 83-79 last year, but also lost Eugenio Suarez (Mariners) and Nick Castellanos (Phillies), who provided a combined 65 home runs and 179 RBIs. 

There’s still a long way to go and the Reds may indeed end up a 100-loss team, but getting the victory in Atlanta to spoil Opening Day is a nice start. Cincinnati belted out 10 hits, getting multi-hit games from leadoff man Jonathan India while the Nos. 8-9 batters went 4-for-8 with four RBIs showing that the universal DH is paying off in the National League already. 

Brandon Drury had a home run while Joey Votto finished 1-for-4 for the Reds. 

Atlanta’s Offense Struggled Out of Gate

Atlanta lost Freddie Freeman in the offseason, but its offense wasn’t supposed to skip a beat with the acquisition of Matt Olson, who hit 39 HRs last season with Oakland. Instead, the Braves were shut down by Cincinnati’s Tyler Mahle, who pitched five innings of three-hit ball before the bullpen gave up two runs over the final three innings. 

Olson did reach base twice, walking twice. Austin Riley also went 3-for-4 on the day with two RBIs, but Ozzie Albies was the only other Atlanta player to get a hit. Maybe it was Opening Day nerves or just being uncomfortable with a couple of new pieces in the clubhouse and the lineup, but an Atlanta rebound is expected on Friday. 

Reds vs Braves Head-to-Head

The Reds were a respectable 3-4 against the eventual World Series champs in last year’s head-to-head series. 

Reds vs Braves Game Information

  • Game: Reds (1-0) vs Braves (0-0)
  • Location: Truist Park, Atlanta
  • Day/Time: Friday, April 8th, 7:20 p.m. ET
  • Live stream: MLB.tv

Reds vs Braves Betting Lines

Team Handicap Moneyline Total Team Total
Cincinnati Reds

R. Sanmartin -L

+1½ -125 +160 9 Evo 3½ -110o

3½ -120u

Atlanta Braves

C. Morton -R

-1½ +105 -180 9 -120u 4½ -125o

4½ -105u

Draw

Reds vs Braves Prediction

Cincinnati provided a nice +163 payday for Thursday’s opener, but is it worth chasing +160 in Friday’s game two? Atlanta is another whopping favorite, this time with Charlie Morton on the mound. The right-hander was 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA last season in his first year with the Braves after coming over from Tampa Bay. 

The Reds counter with Reiver Sanmartin, who is making just his third major league start. The left-hander gave up 12 hits while striking out 11 in 11.2 innings last year, finishing with a 1.54 ERA. He’s got good stuff, and it may be another slow day at the plate for the Atlanta bats. 

Pick: Under 9 runs (-120)

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