The Reds and Braves are facing off in Cincinnati on Friday afternoon. Below, I break down my prediction and pick for the game.
Brady Singer will be starting for the Reds, and Bryce Elder will take the mound for the Braves.
Reds vs. Braves prediction, preview
Singer has had an up-and-down season, posting an 8-8 record with a 4.60 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 109.2 innings. However, he’s coming off his strongest performance of the year, tossing seven innings of two-run ball against the Rays, allowing just seven hits and one walk while striking out three. He’ll be in a favorable position to build on that momentum on Friday, facing a Braves offense that currently ranks 24th in MLB in runs scored.
Even with Singer having a mediocre season, Cincinnati still holds a significant pitching advantage in this matchup with Bryce Elder taking the mound for Atlanta. Elder has struggled mightily in 2025, carrying a 6.29 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 87.1 innings. He’s also failed to miss bats consistently, recording just 73 strikeouts on the year.
Reds vs. Braves pick, best bet
Despite the Braves’ struggles at the plate this season, they should be able to do enough damage against Singer to help push this game toward the over. On the other side, it’s hard to imagine the Reds not capitalizing on Elder’s recent struggles—he’s surrendered four or more runs in five of his last seven starts, including a brutal outing against the Rangers where he gave up eight earned runs in just 2.2 innings.
Elly De La Cruz enters this matchup on a tear, batting .313 with a .398 on-base percentage and eight stolen bases over his last 30 games. Matt McLain is also heating up after a sluggish start to the season, going 19-for-59 (.322) across his last 15 games.
With both starters looking shaky and the Reds swinging the bats well, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. I like the over 9.5 to cash here.