Braves vs Reds Preview and Best Bets: Anderson aims to add to road success as Braves bid to win second straight

Entering the season, the Atlanta Braves were one of the top MLB betting favorites for the NL pennant. Little has gone according to plan for the Braves so far, who have yet to be over .500 at any point this season.

Last night, the Braves rebounded from a loss in Thursday’s series opener in Cincinnati, shutting down the Reds’ potent lineup in a 3-2 win. They will look to do so again and have a more productive day at the plate this afternoon, as Ian Anderson takes the hill opposite unlucky Luis Castillo.

Atlanta Braves (36-39) vs Cincinnati Reds (37-37), Bally Sports Ohio, 4:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Atlanta Braves: Ian Anderson (5-3, 3.33 ERA)
• Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo (2-10, 5.61 ERA)

Braves vs Reds Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Braves +100, Reds -118
• Total: OVER 9 (-108), UNDER 9 (-112)
• Run Line: Braves -1.5 (+164), Reds +1.5 (-200)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Saturday, June 26 at 9:50 am ET. For MLB odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Braves vs Reds Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: 80% Braves, 20% Reds
• Total: 40% OVER, 60% UNDER (at O/U 9)
• Run Line: 20% Braves, 80% Reds (at -/+1.5)

Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Are the Braves Worth Backing in a Favorable Spot?

For the most part this season, wins and losses have come in multiples for the Braves. That’s not a particularly good thing, but it is a valuable thing to note from an MLB betting perspective. The Braves have strung together consecutive wins on 11 different occasions this season, while they have failed to string together consecutive wins on only six different occasions.

Even more notable is the fact that of those six occasions, five of them have occurred when the Braves ended one series with a win and opened the next series with a loss. With that in mind, the Braves are excellent value as a slight underdog in this matchup.

For them to come through, however, will require Anderson discovering some consistency. Consecutive excellent starts have been rare for him this season. Last time out, he tossed 5.1 shutout innings in a win over the New York Mets on Monday. That marked the seventh time in 14 starts this season that Anderson has allowed one run or no runs. His ERA in starts following those outings is 4.78.

Hard-Luck Castillo Seeks Rare Win

Castillo had an ugly opener, allowing eight runs in 3.1 IP to the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day. And through May, he was 1-8 with a 7.22 ERA, with 70 hits and 35 walks allowed in only 52.1 IP. But he has turned a corner in June, posting a 2.19 ERA in four starts, with only 13 hits and 10 walks allowed in 24.2 IP.

That turnaround has not been accompanied by results, however, as he is 1-2 in those starts. Overall this season, the Reds are 1-6 in Castillo’s seven starts in Cincinnati. In the 27 home games started by other pitchers, the Reds are 16-11.

Given all of the above factors, it is rather interesting to see the Braves as an MLB betting underdog in this spot. Yes, they are under .500 and are highly unpredictable. But they are sending one of their best hurlers to the mound today, and after a road win over one of the league’s better home performers, you have to feel positive about Anderson having another standout start.

Braves vs Reds Best Bet: Braves ML – At favorable odds, this is excellent value. The Braves are unpredictable and frustrating, but that does not diminish the value present here.

June 26 MLB Betting Matchups – National League

MLB Betting Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals, Bally Sports Midwest, 2:15 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Pittsburgh Pirates: JT Brubaker: 4-6, 3.77 ERA
• St. Louis Cardinals: Adam Wainwright: 5-5, 3.74 ERA

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Colorado Rockies vs Milwaukee Brewers, Bally Sports Wisconsin, 4:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Colorado Rockies: Antonio Senzatela (2-7, 4.83 ERA)
• Milwaukee Brewers: Adrian Houser (4-5, 3.95 ERA)

Colorado Rockies vs Milwaukee Brewers June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets, SNY, 4:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Philadelphia Phillies: Zach Eflin (2-6, 4.39 ERA)
• New York Mets: Jacob deGrom (7-2, 0.50 ERA)

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins, Bally Sports Florida, 4:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Washington Nationals: Patrick Corbin (5-5, 5.40 ERA)
• Miami Marlins: Zach Thompson (1-2, 1.50 ERA)

Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers, FOX, 7:15 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Chicago Cubs: Alec Mills (3-1, 5.18 ERA)
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Julio Urias (9-3, 3.99 ERA)

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres, MLB Network, 10:10 pm ET

Probable Pitchers

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (3-7, 5.06 ERA)
• San Diego Padres: Dinelson Lamet (2-2, 2.81 ERA)

Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres June 26 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More