Reds Keep It Close Again as Sale Takes the Ball in Atlanta

Twenty-four hours ago, the Braves got blanked 4-0 at home by these same Reds—a result that cashed our Reds +1.5 and should keep bettors honest tonight. Yes, Chris Sale (2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, nearly 11 strikeouts per nine) is a legitimate ace and the heaviest favorite Cincinnati will see all week. And yes, the Reds' lineup is punchless overall—3.53 runs per game over their last fifteen, with black holes like Banfield (.522 OPS) and Brito (.510) littering the order. Andrew Abbott (4.70 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) isn't scaring anyone, either.

But laying a run and a half against a team that just shut you out? That's asking Atlanta to win by two when they've been a middling offensive club themselves lately (4.13 runs per game, 4.0 scored and 5.0 allowed at home). Elly De La Cruz (.890 OPS) and Sal Stewart (.800) give the Reds enough thunder to scratch across a late run or two, and Sale—brilliant as he is—can't guarantee a blowout against a scrappy club with momentum. We're riding Reds +1.5 at -115 again. Cincinnati doesn't need to win; they just need to keep it within a run, and yesterday proved they can hang around Truist Park.