With most of the MLB season in the rearview mirror, the Atlanta Braves (81-69) and Cincinnati Reds (73-78) clash promises to be interesting. As scheduled for September 17, 2024, at Great American Ball Park, this game emphasizes the teams’ increasing focus on the playoffs while acting as a decisive moment for past predictors interested in paid prediction services. The form of both teams is not encouraging, so something is coming up, and it will probably be of a high stake and a higher tension.
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/17/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 6:40 PM ET |
| Where: | Great American Ball Park |
| Watch: | BSSO, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Braves odds: | -119 Moneyline |
| Reds odds: | +101 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 9 |
Atlanta Braves (81-69) vs. Cincinnati Reds (73-78)
The Braves are headed towards this match following a season of positive, though not without ups and downs. In their five last played matches, there is a show of strength and weakness. Their most recent demoralizing fixtures come from a competitive series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where the team took two of the games, including an emphatic 10-1 and then went down 2-9 in a subsequent game. This seemed to indicate not only the increasing and decreasing aspects of baseball as a sport but also showed the Braves had a resilience, which is very important for today’s match.
| Atlanta Braves Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 15, 2024 | LAD | 2-9 | Lose |
| Sep 14, 2024 | LAD | 10-1 | Win |
| Sep 13, 2024 | LAD | 6-2 | Win |
| Sep 11, 2024 | WSH | 1-5 | Lose |
| Sep 10, 2024 | WSH | 12-0 | Win |
In contrast, the Cincinnati Reds, who posted a less impressive season record, have displayed remarkable performances on certain occasions. In their last series against the Minnesota Twins, they won with a single-game score of 11-1, indicating what their offense can do while still being in the picture. Key losses to the St. Louis Cardinals by 1-6 and 1-2 still show issues with maintaining performance levels. That inconsistency might be central when they compete against the Braves, whose pitching may capitalize on such holes.
| Cincinnati Reds Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 15, 2024 | MIN | 2-9 | Lose |
| Sep 14, 2024 | MIN | 11-1 | Win |
| Sep 13, 2024 | MIN | 8-4 | Win |
| Sep 12, 2024 | STL | 1-6 | Lose |
| Sep 11, 2024 | STL | 1-2 | Lose |
Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.79 ERA) vs. Brandon Williamson (0-0, 2.08 ERA)
Grant Holmes has made 8 appearances for the Braves, posting a record of 2 wins and 2 losses with an enjoyable earned run average of 3.79. He has consistently proved himself as a strikeout pitcher over 54.2 innings and collected 54 strikeouts, but there were also 11 walks and 5 home runs earned, which is the area where the Reds would be looking to exploit. His today’s outing will be very important, especially for his ability to keep WHIP down and the tempo of the game against the Reds, which are often not what they seem on paper.
Brandon Williamson has not lasted long this season on the mound so far, with only 13 innings pitched, but surprisingly has a 2.08 earned run average and a 0.77 WHIP, which is great. Vernon has only given up 7 hits and struck out 11 batters, which is more than enough intimidation for these same batters. His poise under pressure against some of the more experienced hitters of the Braves may well turn the odds of the underdog script for this game tonight.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+136), Total Odds: 9
The betting odds reflect a slight favor towards the Braves, expected given their superior record and strong hitting capabilities. However, the tight moneyline and the relatively balanced over/under scoreline at 9 runs indicate expectations of a closely contested game.
Atlanta Braves Betting Trends
The Braves have shown they can pull off significant wins but their road game spread record of 37-38 suggests a vulnerability away from home. Betting trends have seen the totals go OVER in 3 of their last 5 games, aligning with their potent offensive but sometimes erratic pitching.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
Conversely, the Reds have a better spread record in their road games at 45-31, indicating a competitive edge even in less favorable circumstances. Their recent game totals also suggest a tendency towards higher-scoring games, with the OVER hitting in 32 of their last 75 home games.
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/17/24 Betting Picks
Considering the uneven results and the importance of the starting pitchers, this game is likely to be more evenly contested than the odds suggest. Perhaps the Braves’ offense is formidable enough to give them an advantage, but the way Williamson plays could even things out.
Based on the pitching duel and the recent results, the two teams are likely to engage in a shoot-out in the year’s final match. It would be wise to take the OVER on the cumulative lines while taking the Reds to win against the spread, as the Braves have not been very convincing away from home. We feel the best free MLB picks lean towards a game where the pitching edge could do the trick for the Reds if Williamson pitches anything like he has done recently.