The Atlanta Braves (0-0) should be motivated for their home opener against the Cincinnati Reds (0-0) on Thursday after watching their World Series championship banner be raised before the game. As for the Reds, this marks the first time since 1990 that they will open a season on the road. See below for more insight, analysis and a Reds vs Braves prediction.

Reds vs Braves Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

As expected, the defending World Series champs opened as favorites in this one. Atlanta has won six of the last nine head-to-head meetings, including four of seven last season. The total opened at 8, with the UNDER hitting in seven of the last nine games between these teams.    

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Starting Pitchers

The Reds are sending Tyler Mahle to the bump against Atlanta’s Max Fried. Mahle, who went 13-6 last season, finished 12th in the majors with 210 strikeouts. This marks his first Sportsbook Day start, prompting him to say: “It’s going to be really cool.” Fried, meanwhile, ended last season with a 14-7 record and the 10th-best ERA (3.04) in baseball. Making his second consecutive Sportsbook Day start, he also threw six shutout innings and was the winning pitcher in the clinching game of the World Series just five months ago.

New-Look Reds Are Ready To Run

Cincinnati finished third in the Central Division in 2021, missing out on the playoffs once again, prompting a number of offseason changes. Their two best hitters, Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, were among the many players who found new homes. The Reds will rely on some of their young talent like reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson to lead the way. The one constant remains Joey Votto, who led the team with 36 home runs last season.

Manager David Bell has been open about wanting his team to be much more aggressive on the basepaths this season after finishing last in stolen bases a year ago. India, who will be their leadoff hitter, is expected to lead the way in that department.

The Reds have the 19th-best odds to win the World Series at +6000.

Braves In Search Of Fifth Consecutive Division Title

While the majority of the roster that led Atlanta to a championship last season remains, there is one major change. Freddie Freeman is now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with newly acquired Matt Olson trying to fill his shoes.

But the Braves will likely be even better than last year as they should welcome back Ronald Acuna Jr. at some point next month – the all-star outfielder missed the second half last season after tearing his ACL.  An already deep starting pitching staff will also get a boost with Mike Soroka expected to return from an Achilles injury sometime this summer. They also brought in closer Kenley Jansen from the LA Dodgers.   

The Braves have won four straight NL East titles and are +1200 to repeat as World Series champions, the seventh-best odds across the major leagues.

Reds vs Braves Pick & Insights

Reds: Keys To Victory

Youthful exuberance. Sportsbook Day brings a lot of excitement and this young team should be fun to watch this year. If India can be a sparkplug in this game and get on base early and often, then the Reds should do some damage on the scoreboard. That won’t be easy, though, against Fried.

Braves: Keys To Victory

Matt Olson. There’s no doubt he will have immense pressure replacing fan favorite Freddie Freeman. But his numbers speak for themselves. He’s a very good hitter and is always a deep threat. If he can impress his new teammates on Sportsbook Day, then taking the home team may be the play when making your Reds vs Braves pick.

Odds Shark’s Computer Reds vs Braves Prediction: Reds +175

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