It may be a week later than originally scheduled, but the 2022 Major League Baseball season has arrived. As the league opted not to deviate from its original schedule, MLB Opening Day is actually set to be a two-day affair. Among the games that will help kick off the new season on Thursday is a National League contest between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves. All eyes will be on the Peach State tonight as the Braves raise their World Series banner before beginning their title defense. Current MLB betting odds favor the defending champs for this Reds vs Braves Opening Day showdown.
This Reds vs Braves MLB betting preview includes key game info, projected starting pitchers, betting odds, trends and a prediction for the Opening Day matchup.
Reds vs Braves Prediction and MLB Betting Preview
MLB Regular Season Opening Day Game
Cincinnati Reds (0-0, 0-0 Away) vs. Atlanta Braves (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Date: Thursday, Apr. 7, 2022
Time: 8:08 p.m. EST
Venue: Truist Park — Atlanta, GA
Coverage: ESPN2
Reds vs Braves Starting Pitchers
Reds: Tyler Mahle (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Braves: Max Fried (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Reds seemed to be in a great position to reach the playoffs entering the stretch run last season. Instead, they stumbled their way to the finish line and finished merely four games over .500. While Cincinnati boasted a top-10 offense in terms of production, the pitching was atrocious. Staff ace Luis Castillo had a horrendous year by his standards, and it doesn’t appear as though his 2022 campaign will start off much better. Thanks to a shoulder injury, Castillo will not be the Reds’ Opening Day starter for tonight’s game.
In his place, Cincinnati will turn to right-hander Tyler Mahle. The 27-year-old was plenty respectable last season. He won 13 games and posted a 3.75 ERA. With that being said, shutting down the defending champs will be a tough ask in this Opening Day MLB betting contest. After watching Nick Castellanos sign with Philadelphia in free agency, the Reds will be counting on other players to fill that lost offensive production. Unfortunately, outside of aged veterans Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas, the team lacks many surefire bats.
Atlanta Braves Preview
No one will soon forget the Braves’ rise to the top of baseball last Fall. Atlanta may have won fewer games than any other playoff team, but they won when it mattered most. The Braves defeated the Houston Astros in six games to capture the franchise’s first World Series Championship since 1995. Max Fried through a gem in the Game 6 clinching victory and will bookend the offseason by taking the mound as the team’s Opening Day starter tonight. The southpaw posted 14 wins and a 3.04 ERA last season. He is a tough pitcher to go against from an MLB betting perspective.
While the Braves achieved the ultimate goal last season with their World Series triumph, the offseason was not all sunshine and unicorns for the defending champs. Longtime Brave Freddie Freeman, who served as the face of the franchise during the lean years that preceded their return to contention, departed in free agency. That being said, the Braves still have plenty of talent in their 2022 Opening Day lineup. Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Eddie Rosario and Ozzie Albies headline a deep lineup that should carry plenty of pop. The Braves also lured Kenley Jansen away from the Los Angeles Dodgers to be the new anchor of their bullpen.
Reds vs Braves MLB Betting Odds
MLB betting odds for Braves vs Astros are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CIN: (+155) | ATL: (-175)
Run Line: CIN: +1.5 (-130) | ATL: -1.5 (+110)
Total: 8.5 — Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)
Public (Moneyline) Betting Percentages via Action Network: CIN: (33%) | ATL: (67%)
Reds vs Braves MLB Betting Trends
- The total has gone UNDER in seven of the Reds’ last eight games when facing a left-handed starting pitcher.
- Reds are 0-4 straight up in their last four road games as an MLB betting underdog.
- Braves are 5-0 straight up in their last five home games as a favorite.
- The UNDER is 5-0 in each of the Braves’ last five series-opening games.
- Seven of the last nine Reds vs Braves head-to-head matchups have gone UNDER the total.
Reds vs Braves Stats
- Cincinnati averaged 4.85 runs per game (RPG) last season (No. 8 in the MLB).
- Cincinnati surrendered 4.69 RPG last season (No. 20 in the MLB).
- Atlanta averaged 4.83 RPG last season (No. 9 in the MLB).
- Atlanta surrendered 4.01 RPG last season (No. 4 in the MLB).
Reds vs Braves Weather Report
According to Forecast.io
Status: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 58℉
Humidity: 52%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 10 MPH (blowing left to right)
Reds vs Braves Prediction | MLB Betting Picks
Given the energy that will come along with the Braves raising their World Series banner tonight, it’s impossible to bet against them. While Reds starter Tyler Mahle deserves some recognition as he is far from a pushover, Atlanta figures to have the better pitcher of the two in Max Fried.
When one looks at the Cincinnati lineup, it’s extremely difficult to pinpoint where the Reds’ offense will come from. The loss of Nick Castellanos looms large for this ballclub. While the Braves also lost multiple contributors from last year’s title run, they have more than enough returning bats to get the job done. When it comes to relief pitching, the Braves also have a decisive advantage.
Reds vs Braves Prediction: Braves -1.5 (+110) at BetUS Sportsbook
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