Braves vs. Reds Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Will Olson Go Deep at Bristol Motor Speedway?

Our Braves vs. Reds prediction backs Atlanta with the starting pitching edge, and takes a flier on Matt Olson to break his home run drought.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 2, 2025 10:49 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Braves vs. Reds Prediction — Pictured: Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is the focus of our Braves vs. Reds prediction. Photo by Katie Stratman via Imagn Images.

The series between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds shifts to Bristol Motor Speedway as part of the MLB Speedway Classic, which is expected to break a single-game attendance record. It's the first MLB game to ever be played in the state of Tennessee, and we break it down with our Braves vs. Reds prediction.

Atlanta gets the nod as -125 moneyline favorites at our best sports betting sites, and our Braves vs. Reds best bets back one of its sluggers’ player props at +390 odds. First pitch from Bristol is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX).

Braves vs. Reds prediction: Braves to win (-122 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Braves vs. Reds player props: Matt Olson to hit a home run (+390 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

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✅ Braves vs. Reds prediction: Braves to win (-122 via FanDuel)

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After winning the game in which highly touted prospect Chase Burns debuted six starts ago, Cincinnati is 0-5 in its young hurler’s last five outings. This is a tough spot for a rookie to be pitching in front of more than 85,000 fans, which is why I am backing Atlanta with my Braves vs. Reds prediction.

This is the best spot to confidently back Atlanta with Spencer Strider on the mound. Strider has lowered his ERA in each of the last three months and has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 10 consecutive starts, with seven quality starts in that span.

Even without Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta scored 12 runs in Thursday’s series-opening victory, so I am not worried about its ability to score runs tonight.

FanDuel is the best place to bet the Braves moneyline, as most competitors have those odds juiced to -125, carrying a 55.56% implied probability.

💰 Best Braves vs. Reds player props

✅ Best Braves vs. Reds player prop: Matt Olson to hit a home run (+390 via FanDuel)

We are taking a literal shot in the dark with Matt Olson to hit a home run as our best Braves vs. Reds player prop, given that this is the first game ever to be played in this makeshift stadium. However, because of Burns’ 9.28 road ERA and the fact that Bristol Motor Speedway is nine feet shorter to right center (375 feet) than left center (384 feet), I am comfortable backing Atlanta’s best left-handed power hitter.

Three of Burns’ four home runs allowed have been to left-handed hitters, and lefties have an OPS 68 points higher against him than righties. Olson leads all Braves with 18 home runs, and while he has not homered in 11 straight games, he only has one other 12-game home run drought this season, so I am saying he is due.

The price is certainly right at FanDuel for Olson to end his home run drought, as DraftKings and Caesars have his home run odds priced at +255 and +270, respectively. A $10 winning wager would pay out $39 in profits.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”