The Cincinnati Reds (19-19) and the Atlanta Braves (17-19) wrap up a 4-game set Thursday. First pitch from Truist Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Reds vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
season series: Braves lead 2-1
After losing 4-0 Monday and 2-1 Tuesday (as favorites), the Reds bounced back with a 4-3 win as +108 underdogs at the Braves Wednesday with the Under (7.5) cashing for the fourth straight game for both teams. CF TJ Friedl (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBIs) homered twice for the Reds, who snapped a 4-game skid. SP Hunter Greene (no-decision, 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K) exited with a groin injury, though, and is considered day to day.
Braves SP Grant Holmes (loss, 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K) dropped to 2-3 on the season after recording his second straight loss Wednesday. Atlanta snapped a 3-game win streak with the loss.
Reds at Braves projected starters
LHP Nick Lodolo vs. RHP Spencer Schwellenbach
Lodolo (3-3, 3.27 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.04 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 41 1/3 innings.
- last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 6 ER (7 R), 10 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 11-6 home defeat vs. Washington Nationals Saturday
- 2025 road stats: 2-2, 1.07 ERA (25 1/3 IP, 3 ER), 0.79 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 4 starts
- Has never faced Braves
Schwellenbach (1-3, 3.92 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 41 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 10-3 home defeat vs. LA Dodgers Saturday
- 2025 home stats: 1-1, 3.28 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.14 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 in 4 starts
- Career vs. Reds: 1 road start, win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-1 victory Sept. 18, 2024
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Reds at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Braves -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-140) | Braves -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -102 | U: -118)
Reds at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 4, Reds 2
The Braves (-200) should bounce back after Wednesday’s loss, but the preferred play is betting them on the run line at plus money.
PASS on the ML, which would cost 2 times the potential return.
Two of Schwellenbach’s last home 4 starts have resulted in Braves wins by 4 or more runs, while the Reds have lost 2 of Lodolo’s last 3 starts by 3 or more runs. Atlanta is also 7-3 on the run line as a favorite following a loss this season.
BET BRAVES -1.5 (+115).
The Under has hit in 62.5% of Braves home games this season (10-6-1), per TeamRankings.com, and 56.6% of Reds road games (10-8-1). The pitching matchup also points toward a low-scoring affair: Lodolo owns a 1.07 ERA over 4 road starts, while Schwellenbach beat the Reds last September, holding them to just 1 run.
BET UNDER 8 (-118).
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