Reds vs. Braves: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries and picks

The Atlanta Braves are on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series starting on Thursday. The last time these two National League opponents met, the Braves took three out of the four games.

A lot has changed since their four-game series in May. The Braves' postseason hopes are shattered, currently having a 45-62 record. They are 7-18 in their last 25 games and have lost four series straight. Meanwhile, the Reds are in contention for the NL Wild Card with a 57-52 record and 3.0 games outside third spot.

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Time: Thursday, July 31 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park

Money Line: Reds (-160), Braves (+134)

Total Runs: Over/Under 9.5 runs

Weather: 79 degrees F, 42% precipitation, Wind 8 mph L-R

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Reds

Wade Miley: 15 Day IL (Flexor),
Hunter Greene: 15 Day IL (Groin),
Ian Gibaut: 15 Day IL (Shoulder),
Tyler Callihan: 60 Day IL (Forearm),
Carson Spiers: 60 Day IL (Shoulder),
Julian Aguiar: 60 Day IL (Elbow),
Brandon Williamson: 60 Day IL (Elbow),
Rhett Lowder: 60 Day IL (Forearm)

Braves

Ronald Acuna: 10 Day IL (Calf),
Grant Holmes: 60 Day IL (Elbow),
Joe Jimenez: 60 Day IL (Knee),
AJ Smith-Shawver: 60 Day IL (Calf/elbow),
Chris Sale: 60 Day IL (Rib),
Reynaldo López: 60 Day IL (Shoulder),
Spencer Schwellenbach: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Expected Lineups

Reds

DH Gavin Lux L
2B Matt McLain R
SS E. De La Cruz S
LF Austin Hays R
RF Jake Fraley L
1B S. Steer R
C T. Stephenson R
CF Will Benson L
3B K. Hayes R

Braves

LF J. Profar S
1B Matt Olson L
3B Austin Riley R
CF M. Harris L
DH M. Ozuna R
2B Ozzie Albies S
C Sean Murphy R
RF Eli White R
SS Nick Allen R

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Picks and prediction

The starting pitcher matchup looks like a one-sided affair on paper. Reds' ace Andrew Abbott starts on the mound. He has an 8-1 record and 2.09 ERA from 103.1 innings pitched this season. He will be up against Braves' Carlos Carrasco, 2-2, 5.91 ERA for the season.

As a collective pitching staff, the Reds are 12th with a 3.86 ERA, while the Braves are 20th with a 4.19 ERA. Elly De La Cruz is the key for Cincinnati, leading the team in all three major batting metrics. Meanwhile, Austin Riley's club-best .264 batting average speaks a lot about Atlanta's mediocre season.

Expect the Reds to take this one in a game low on offence.

Picks: Reds ML (-160), Under 9.5 runs

Prediction: Reds 4, Braves 3

About the author

Nikhil Parshy is a baseball and ice hockey journalist at Sportskeeda, and after starting out as a cricket reporter, he has been an analyst with SK since November 2022. His interest in the sports were piqued a few years back after watching highlights on YouTube and he has followed the game ever since.

The Chicago Cubs breaking the 108-year curse in 2016 to lift the World Series remains Nikhil's favorite baseball moment. Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has been his favorite player ever since he started following the game, while the LA Dodgers are his favorite team.

As a writer, Nikhil maintains a strong attention to detail and rigorously cross-checks information. He seeks to strike a balance in his writing such that the regular reader gains an insight into player profiles, while also keeping in mind that the non-regular reader is not put off by jargon and shallow analysis.

Nikhil is an avid public speaker, and when not writing about baseball, he regularly participates in debates and quizzes.

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Edited by Veer Badani

Reds vs. Braves: Game 1 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries and picks - July 31, 2025

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Betting Odds & Weather

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Injuries & Lineups

Injuries

Reds

Braves

Expected Lineups

Reds

Braves

Reds vs. Braves Game 1: Picks and prediction