Braves vs. Reds Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Atlanta Intriguing as Significant Underdog

It's possible that a number of Atlanta Braves players are shipped out right before this game begins, but the core pieces will remain, and I trust them to give Andrew Abbott a tough time.
Braves vs. Reds Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Thursday, July 31
Pictured: Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is a big reason why we're backing the underdogs with our Braves vs. Reds prediction. Photo by Peter Aiken via Imagn Images.

The Atlanta Braves are widely expected to be among the bigger sellers at today's trade deadline, with slugger Marcell Ozuna likely on his way out. Just after the deadline approaches, though, Atlanta will have to play a game in Cincinnati, and our Braves vs. Reds prediction is backing the road underdogs.

Reds starter Andrew Abbott has been good this year, but he's going to come face-to-face with the regression monster sooner or later, and I'm betting on it to begin tonight.

This one gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network) from Great American Ball Park, and our Braves vs. Reds best bets make sure to fade Abbott in more ways than one.

  • Braves vs. Reds prediction: Braves to win (+160 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Best Braves vs. Reds player props: Andrew Abbott Under 4.5 strikeouts (+125 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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✅ Braves vs. Reds prediction: Braves to win (+160 via FanDuel)

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I know why the Braves are underdogs in this spot. Atlanta has been bad this year and is expected to sell off some pieces today. 

Meanwhile, the Reds have already gone out and acquired Ke'Bryan Hayes and Zack Littell as they attempt to make a postseason run. That's all fine and dandy, but I'm backing the Braves.

Why, you ask? Well, I think this is still a talented team even with Ozuna likely leaving town and Ronald Acuna on the IL. A lineup featuring Jurickson Profar, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Sean Murphy, and Drake Baldwin can still do plenty of damage, and Michael Harris has even looked like he's finding his footing again at the plate.

I also don't think Abbott is that good, as I said above. I believe he'll struggle to get through five innings today, and the Braves could win a relatively high-scoring affair. Do I think it's a lock? No, but that's why it's priced at +160 with the best sports betting apps.

💰 Best Braves vs. Reds player props

✅ Best Braves vs. Reds player prop: Andrew Abbott Under 4.5 strikeouts (+125 via DraftKings)

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Despite how good he's been this season, Abbott hasn't been a strikeout artist by any means. He's managed only 8.27 K/9 this year, which means he'd likely have to pitch into the sixth inning to get to five punchouts based on those numbers.

That's exactly why he's projected for just 4.54 Ks over five-plus innings of work tonight.

Abbott is very good at limiting hard contact and forcing batters to hit into easy outs. That's the main reason I didn't feature any Braves in my home run predictions today. However, just because I don't think they'll crush bombs, that doesn't mean I don't think they can't still give Abbott fits.

I expect the Braves to string together enough solid plate appearances and manufacture runs en route to chasing Abbott early in the sixth inning or even beforehand. If that's the case, he should stay below this strikeout total.

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