With the MLB trade deadline now a done deal, every team in the league can get back to the business of focusing on winning their division and getting into the postseason. That task would appear to have become a little easier for some teams, particularly those who went out and addressed their needs at the deadline. The teams sitting with the best records in the league right now may appear to be totally infallible, but every single one of them has a little crack in the armor that could well be exposed when they enter the postseason. How well they deal with those issues could well determine how far they go in the playoffs.
One team that went all out to fix their issues was the Atlanta Braves, as they shored things up very nicely in the bullpen with a number of different trades. If those moves pay off, this team could be very dangerous in the NL side of things this postseason. The Braves kick off a weekend stand versus the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night and are favored by 1 ½. The run total for this one is set at 9 ½.
Reds vs Braves MLB Lines, Game Info & Expert Pick
- When: Thursday, Aug 1 at 7:20 PM EST
- Where: SunTrust Park, Atlanta
- Starting Pitchers: DeSclafani vs. Fried
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Radio: 680 The Fan
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- MLB Lines: Atlanta Braves -160 (Total 9.5)
How to Bet Blue Jays vs Orioles MLB Spread & Prediction
Why bet on the Cincinnati Reds?
It has been a rather strange little season for the Cincinnati Reds and one that suggests that they might not be too far away from competing in the NL Central. Despite spending a lot of time in the basement there, they have since moved up a spot and remain just 6 ½ games out of the top spot. The Reds have been defensively solid all year, but they have also been unable to consistently put runs on the board, which is one of the reasons why they are sitting at 50-56 on the season.
They are still sitting with a positive run differential, which again suggests that a little bit of power in their batting line-up might help turn things around next season. The Reds are 21-30 SU on the road and will have Anthony DeSclafani (6-5, 4.01 ERA) on the mound for this one.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.50
- Hits: 8.28
- Walks: 2.90
- Strike Outs: 8.73
- Runs: 4.26
- Hits: 8.03
- Walks: 3.34
- Strike Outs: 9.57
Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?
No-one in the Atlanta area is popping champagne corks just yet, but this team took a massive step towards their second straight division title by taking 2 of 3 from the Washington Nationals to open up the new week. That outcome means that the Braves now have a 6 ½ game lead over Washington in the NL East, which has them in a position of real power.
The Braves went all out to beef up their pitching, landing Dallas Keuchel a few weeks back, before making a trio of moves designed to strengthen a wobbly bullpen. Atlanta is now 64-45 on the season, which includes being 30-23 at home. They are just 5-5 in their last 10, but with back to back wins over the Nats, they might just have their mojo back. It will be Max Fried (11-4, 4.21 ERA) who gets the start.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.37
- Hits: 9.11
- Walks: 3.63
- Strike Outs: 8.85
- Runs: 4.83
- Hits: 8.78
- Walks: 3.71
- Strike Outs: 8.61
Rays vs Red Sox MLB Lines & Pick for Thursday Night
Reds vs Braves MLB Betting Trends
- Reds are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games played in August
- Braves are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
- The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Atlanta’s last 20 games this season
- Braves are 74-44 against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons
- Reds are 35-26 against the money line in night games this season
- Reds are 2-1 against ATLANTA this season
- Desclafani is 1-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.661
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I think that the Braves have become a serious threat with their trade deadline moves and I like them to come out and have a big series versus the Reds, starting on Thursday night.
Score: Cincinnati Reds 3 – Atlanta Braves 6
