Trevor Cahill (0-3, 9.42 ERA) and Anthony DeSclafani (2-1, 1.04 ERA) start in the second of a four-game series between the Atlanta Braves (10-12) and the Cincinnati Reds (11-11) at Turner Field. The Reds won the last game 5-1 and Cincinnati leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:35 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 1 and can be seen on FSN-OH and FSN-S.
Cahill is 0-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his appearances against the Reds, and goes up against a below-average Cincinnati offense which is batting just .224 this season. A.J. Pierzynski (.422, 8 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs. DeSclafani went 5.0 innings, surrendering one, striking out five and walking two in a 5-2 defeat to the Cubs in his last outing. Joey Votto (.317, 13 Rs, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Reds, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one RBI.
Cincinnati takes on Atlanta as a -120 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Braves have an overall money line of +64 and a record as the underdog of 7-8. Atlanta has recorded a disappointing 2-5 record as the underdog over its last 10 games.
As for their opponent, in contrast to a worrisome overall money line (-67), Cincinnati has an impressive 5-3 record when playing as the favorite. The Reds are an excellent base stealing team with 23 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB.
The Reds have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Braves have an 8-10 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when DeSclafani takes the mound. Cahill (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 9-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN, 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.
The Reds are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded three strikeouts. The Braves have a record of 0-2 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
With records of 8-4 and 6-3 respectively, the Braves and the Reds both do well when they outhit opponents.
Ranking 17th, Cincinnati sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 89 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 15th with 94.
Atlanta and Cincinnati both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. Atlanta sits at ninth with 72 this season and Cincinnati ranks eighth with 73.
When the Braves hit at least one home run, they are 6-6. When the Reds hit at least one homer, they have a 9-7 record.
