The Atlanta Braves (48-26) take one of the top lineups in MLB on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (40-35) at Great American Ball Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.
The Braves are coming off a two-game sweep of the Phillies, taking the finale 5-1 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park for their eighth straight win. Austin Riley was 2 for 4 with one run and two RBIs.The Reds are in the midst of a six-game homestand.
They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park for their 11th straight win. Jake Fraley went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Tyler Stephenson went 3 for 4 with one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won all three games this season between the teams, including a 5-4 victory in their most recent meeting on April 12 at Truist Park. Kirby Yates got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and A.J. Minter earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
AJ Smith-Shawver (1-0, 2.03 ERA) is set to get the start for Atlanta. The right-hander allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, an 8-3 road win over the Rockies on June 15. He got the win, giving up six hits while striking out six and walking one.
For Cincinnati, RHP Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.47 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. Weaver made one appearance against the Braves in 2022, throwing one inning for the Diamondbacks in a 5-2 road defeat on July 29.
In his last start on Sunday, Weaver took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits, striking out one and walking two in the 9-7 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Atlanta offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, third-best in the league, with a slash line of .269/.339/.479. Five Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.961). The right fielder is slashing .327/.403/.558 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 64 runs over 74 games.
Over the last five games, however, Atlanta has averaged 8.2 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.307/.389/.587). Against righties like Weaver this season, the Braves have a .789 OPS, second highest in the league. Acuna Jr. also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .955 OPS in 226 at-bats.
Cincinnati is slashing .256/.334/.404 for the season and averaging 4.8 runs per game. Spencer Steer leads the team with a .824 OPS. The third baseman has 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 39 runs scored with a slash line of .273/.356/.468.
Cincinnati is averaging 7.4 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.297/.383/.547). The Reds have a .731 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .913 OPS over 161 at-bats, Fraley has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is on a four-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 24-11 in 2023. The Braves have scored 5.4 runs per game away from home while allowing 3.3 runs. Cincinnati has won three in a row at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds are 20-18 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park, each club has won five, though Atlanta has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.8-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by six games over the Marlins. The Reds lead the NL Central by one game over the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-150)
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