Atlanta vs Cincinnati MLB Betting Preview
The Braves did not get off to a good start this season, but have been one of the best teams for the last month or so and now they lead the tough NL East by 1.5 games.
Venue/ Stadium: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
Time/Date: 7 PM EST Monday, May 21, 2012
MLB Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Braves +105 / Reds -120
Over/Under: 9 runs
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Reds have won 2 straight and now trail the first place Cardinals by 1/2 game in the NL Central. Both teams send out hurlers tonight that have a couple of the worst ERA’s in the NL. MLB lines have the Reds as the home favorite tonight with a run total of 9.
In their last games the Reds beat the New York Yankees 5-2 and the Braves beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0.
This season the Braves have an O/U record of 22-18 with a run-line W/L record of 21-21 and the Reds have an O/U record of 18-21 with a run-line W/L record of 20-20.
The Reds are 9-8 at home this season the Braves are a NL best 16-9 on the road.
Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09 ERA) is on the mound for the Braves tonight and in his last outing he struggled giving up 6 earned runs in 4 innings in a loss to the Marlins. Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21 ERA) goes for the Reds tonight looking for his first win of the season and he was solid in his last start going 6 innings only giving up 1 run and got a no decision.
Minor has the 2nd worst ERA in the NL and Leake has the 4th worst ERA. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Minor has been hit hard and in his last 4 starts he has given up at least 6 earned runs.
Leake is coming off his best start of the season and in his 2 career starts against the Braves is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA.
The Reds have won 4 of their last 5 home games against the Braves.
The Braves have a great offense ranking 4th in the Majors in runs scored and for the Reds to win tonight they may have to get a good outing from Leake, since they only rank 21st in runs scored.
In some betting trends for this NL match up the Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog, 4-0 in Minor’s last 4 road starts, and they have an Over record of 12-4 in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Reds are 20-9 in their last 29 games as a home favorite, 1-4 in Leake’s last 5 home starts, and they have an Under record of 7-2-2 in their last 11 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Jason’s Pick: I think both pitchers will struggle tonight, but have to go with the Braves since they have been a great road team this season and their offense is much better than the Reds.
