Shelby Miller (3-0, 2.05 ERA) and Mike Leake (0-1, 3.90 ERA) take the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Atlanta Braves (10-11) and the Cincinnati Reds (10-11) at Turner Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 30 and can be seen on FSN-OH and SPSO.
Miller is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in his appearances against the Reds, and goes up against a below-average Cincinnati offense which is batting just .223 this season. Nick Markakis (.338, 16 Rs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Leake is 3-2 with a 2.43 ERA when pitching against the Braves. He is up against a good Atlanta offense which is hitting .256 this season. Todd Frazier (.240, 16 Rs, 6 HRs, 15 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Atlanta is a -123 favorite against Cincinnati and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Braves have an overall money line of +164 and a record as the favorite of 3-3. The Braves are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 7.8 hits per game so far this season.
In the other locker room, Cincinnati is coming in with an overall money line of -67 and a disappointing record of 5-8 as the underdog. The Reds are an excellent base stealing team with 23 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB.
The Braves have an 8-9 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Leake takes the mound. Miller (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 9-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Over
Notes
The Reds are 1-3 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Braves are 0-1 in such matchups.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Reds need to step it up. The Braves have a record of 7-3 when opponents get seven hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Reds are 5-3. The Braves have an 8-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Cincinnati sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 84 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 13th with 93.
Both Atlanta and Cincinnati are tied at 11th in walks with a total of 69 this season.
When the Braves hit at least one home run, they are 6-6. When the Reds hit at least one homer, they have an 8-7 record.
