Wednesday afternoon baseball and we will see the Atlanta Braves take on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. First pitch is scheduled for a 12:35 PM (Eastern) start time and the game will be televised on MLB Network. Current Betting Odds, according to Sportsbook.ag, have Cincinnati listed as the favorite.
Current Odds
Atlanta +104
Cincinnati -114
Over/ Under: 8 O -115
Analysis: Mike Minor allowed four home runs in his previous appearance at Great American Ball Park last May, capping a nine-start stretch that made some question whether the left-hander belonged in the Atlanta Braves' rotation. As the Braves wrap up a three-game set at the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Minor returns to the hitter-friendly park with his spot in the rotation no longer in question. Minor gave up 12 homers in his first nine starts a year ago, but after being rocked by the Reds, the left-hander went 9-6 with only 14 homers allowed in his final 21 starts. Minor has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his six starts, and has impressed with his command. The left-hander has issued just five walks against 31 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. Minor pitched seven innings in his last start – his longest outing since April 5 – and held the New York Mets to three runs on three hits in a no-decision Friday. Tuesday's loss to the Reds was the eighth in 11 road games for the Braves, who are batting .220 in those contests.
One of the keys for Minor will be keeping leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo off base, but pitchers have struggled to contain the Reds’ center fielder. Choo spent six-plus seasons in Cleveland, playing mostly in right field and batting third. Still, Cincinnati (19-15) felt he could solve its issues at the top of the lineup while playing center field, and acquired him in a three-team, nine-player trade in December. The Reds got a .208 average and .254 on-base percentage out of leadoff hitters last year, and so far the addition of Choo is proving to be a very good one. Choo is among the best leadoff hitters in baseball with a .333 average, a .465 on-base percentage and 27 runs, while leading Cincinnati with seven homers. He's been particularly impressive at home, where he's batting .413 with a .560 on-base percentage and 17 runs in helping the Reds win 13 of 18 at Great American Ball Park. Choo is also hitting .359 with two homers and six RBIs beyond the sixth inning. Mike Leake won for the second time in his past four starts Friday against the Chicago Cubs, scattering nine hits but allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings. He has benefited from ample run support; the Reds have scored at least three runs in all six of his starts, and six or more runs three times. Leake made one start against Atlanta in 2012 and it was stellar, allowing one run on three hits in eight innings.
Pick: Day baseball in hitter friendly Great American Ballpark and it should be a high scoring game. I look for both offenses to have a good day as we get at least 10 runs in this one.
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MLB Free Picks: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds Betting
What baseball bettors need to know about Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday (5/08/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Bryan Leonard with Vegas Runner and host Steve Fezzik.