Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/23/2023

Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Friday, June 23, 2023

Venue:  Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Where to Watch:  BSOH

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Braves -150, Reds +130; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Braves -150, Reds +130; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Braves -150, Reds +130; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

Atlanta Braves:  47-26 (1st place, NL East)

Cincinnati Reds:  40-35 (1st place, NL Central)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Sean Murphy is on a HOT STREAK in the MLB: 66-48 ($11.7K) this season! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Atlanta Braves:  8-2 last 10

Cincinnati Reds:  10-0 last 10

The Braves are entering this game on a 7 game winning streak and completed the sweep 4-0 in their 4-game series against the Colorado Rockies in their last series. They enter this game with a 47-26 record overall and have a road record of 23-11. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Reds on Friday with the series finale of their series against the Philadelphia Phillies still to be played on Thursday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .817 OPS. Bryce Elder is their starting pitcher on Thursday while rookie pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 6 Ks on 6 hits through 5.2 IP against the Colorado Rockies.

The Reds are entering this game on an 11 game winning streak and completed the sweep 3-0 in their 3-game series against the Colorado Rockies in their last series. They enter this game with a 40-35 record overall and have a home record of 20-18. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Braves on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .738 OPS. Andrew Abbott was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Luke Weaver is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-2 with a 6.47 ERA this season. His team won their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 earned runs, 1 homer, and 2 BB with 1 strikeout on 10 hits through 5 innings played against the Houston Astros.

The current betting odds have the Braves listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Braves have been rolling lately as they are leading the NL East with the best record and enter this series on a big win streak. They also have the best offense in the MLB right now too. The Reds have also been really hot entering this series as they are on the longest win streak in the MLB at the moment but that is bound to come to an end soon. The Braves have won 7 games in a row but the Reds have won 11 games in a row now and it will take a hot team like the Braves to finally snap their streak. The Reds don't have a great starter here either with Weaver on the mound since he has been giving up a ton of runs in his starts all year and the Braves now have the best offense in the league as they have been really hot lately. They are going to put up runs on Weaver in this game and even though the Braves are going with a rookie here, Smith-Shawver hasn't been bad in his few starts and he has a solid lineup to help him out here too. The Reds have been hot lately but so have the Braves and the Braves are a better team overall from top to bottom as they are a real contender while the Reds are not. The best way to place a bet here is on the Braves to win this game. 

Braves Reds Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, June 23, 2023 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Braves 6 Reds 4.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today.  And if you enjoyed this Atlanta Braves Cincinnati Reds prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.

Atlanta Braves: 47-26 (+8.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 42-20 (+9.2 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 36-23 OVER as a favorite of -110 or higher. 31-17 OVER in night games.

Cincinnati Reds: 52-74 (-24.2 units) on the moneyline after a game where the bullpen gave up no earned runs. 69-85 (-17 units) on the moneyline when the money line is +125 to -125. 25-14 OVER after a win. 33-21 OVER as an underdog of +100 or higher.

Atlanta Braves:  S. Murphy (C) Ques Thurs - Hamstring. K. Allard (SP) Early July - Oblique. K. Wright (SP) Mid Aug - Shoulder. J. Chavez (RP) Early July - Shin. M. Fried (SP) Mid July - Forearm. E. Adrianza (2B) Early July - Shoulder. D. Lee (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. T. Matzek (RP) out for season - Elbow. H. Ynoa (SP) out for season - Elbow.

Cincinnati Reds:  T. Santillan (SP) Early July - Back. J. Dunn (SP) Early July - Shoulder. R. Sanmartin (SP) Early July - Elbow. G. Ashcraft (SP) Early July - Calf. C. Legumina (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. H. Greene (SP) Out indefinitely - Hip. N. Lodolo (SP) Early Aug - Calf. C. Overton (SP) out for season - Elbow. D. Law (RP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. V. Gutierrez (SP) Mid July - Elbow. T. Antone (RP) Mid July - Elbow.

“Hopefully, this is one that gets him going.” - Brian Snitker on Spencer Strider after his team’s win against the Phillies in their game on Tuesday.

“It is very inspiring to be around. It is happening in the clubhouse. It’s happening on the field, and what’s happening in the ballpark, our fans, it’s seeing them enjoy the game. It means a lot to us.” - David Bell after his team’s win against the Rockies in their game on Wednesday.

Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF

Ozzie Albies (S) 2B

Austin Riley (R) 3B

Marcell Ozuna (R) DH

Matt Olson (L) 1B

Travis d'Arnaud (R) C

Eddie Rosario (L) LF

Orlando Arcia (R) SS

Michael Harris II (L) CF

TJ Friedl (L) CF

Spencer Steer (R) 3B

Jonathan India (R) 2B

Elly De La Cruz (S) SS

Jake Fraley (L) RF

Joey Votto (L) 1B

Tyler Stephenson (R) DH

Will Benson (L) LF

Luke Maile (R) C

Batting Average:  Orlando Arcia (.341)

Hits:  Ronald Acuna (96)

Home Runs:  Matt Olson (21)

RBI:  Ozzie Albies (53)

Stolen Bases:  Ronald Acuna (31)

Wins:  Spencer Strider (8)

Saves:  A.J. Minter (10)

ERA:  Dereck Rodriguez (0.00)

Batting Average:  Elly De La Cruz (.321)

Hits:  Jonathan India (76)

Home Runs:  Jonathan India (10)

RBI:  Jake Fraley (44)

Stolen Bases:  Jake Fraley (12)

Wins:  Ian Gibaut (8)

Saves:  Alexis Diaz (20)

ERA:  Ricky Karcher (0.00)

Managers:

Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker (8th season)

Cincinnati Reds: David Bell (5th season)