Eric Stults (1-1, 4.03 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves (11-12) go up against Jason Marquis (2-1, 5.48 ERA) and the Cincinnati Reds (11-12) in the third of a four-game series at Turner Field. The Braves won the last game 4-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and will air on FS1.
Stults is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA against the Reds in his career, and is up against a struggling Cincinnati offense that’s hitting just .225 on the year. A.J. Pierzynski (.408, 8 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the Braves, Marquis is 4-5 with a 6.95 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 25 walks. Joey Votto (.329, 14 Rs, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Reds, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run and two stolen bases.
Atlanta is favored by a slight -111 margin in its matchup against Cincinnati. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Braves are 3-3 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -36. Atlanta’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 5.9 during that span, compared to its 4.7 season average.
Switching gears, the Reds come into this game in an interesting position. They have won more than 60 percent of games played as the underdog (5-8) but have a negative money line (+33). Cincinnati has been playing better lately, averaging 5.2 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.0. The Reds have racked up 28 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league.
The Braves will take on a right-hander (Marquis) in this game and have an 8-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CIN, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Cincinnati is 5-4, while Atlanta is 5-10.
The Braves are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Reds have a record of 5-5 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 2-8. The Reds have a 4-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Atlanta ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting 18 this season. Cincinnati ranks in the top five at second with 31.
Ranking 13th, Cincinnati is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.55 per game. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.27.
Ranking 19th, Cincinnati is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.681). Atlanta ranks in the top half at 15th with an OPS of .700.
When the Reds allow at least one home run, they are 7-11, well-matched with the Braves who are 3-8 when allowing at least one homer.
