Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions July 22nd 2024

Injury-riddled Braves look to rebound vs. Reds

The Atlanta Braves, despite facing significant injury setbacks, are gearing up to host the Cincinnati Reds in a crucial three-game series starting Monday. With two of their key players, Max Fried and Ozzie Albies, sidelined due to injuries, the Braves are looking to maintain their competitive edge and secure vital wins.

Braves’ Injury Challenges

Max Fried’s Injury Update

The Braves’ troubles began when they placed All-Star left-hander Max Fried on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, due to left forearm neuritis. Braves manager Brian Snitker provided some reassurance about the severity of Fried’s condition, indicating that it’s not expected to sideline him for an extended period. This optimism stems from Fried’s own belief that the injury, which he felt warming up for the All-Star Game, isn’t severe.

Ozzie Albies’ Significant Setback

The injury woes deepened for Atlanta when star second baseman Ozzie Albies fractured his left wrist in the ninth inning of their 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. This incident occurred as Albies slammed his arm against a St. Louis base stealer, leading to an immediate and painful exit from the game. The Braves expect Albies, a three-time All-Star with a .258 batting average, eight home runs, and 46 RBIs this season, to be out for approximately two months.

Roster Adjustments

Call-Ups from Triple-A Gwinnett

In response to Albies’ injury, the Braves are summoning infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett. The 21-year-old Alvarez has been impressive in Triple-A, hitting .336 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in just 28 games. This call-up aims to fill the void left by Albies and maintain the team’s infield strength.

Similarly, to cover for Fried, Atlanta called up left-hander Dylan Dodd. Dodd, who has experience with the Braves from seven starts in 2023, will step into the rotation despite his challenging stats from the minor leagues this season.

Pitching Matchup for the Series Opener

Reynaldo Lopez’s Role

Despite Fried’s absence, the Braves’ rotation still boasts talent, including All-Star Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez, who holds a 7-3 record with a 1.88 ERA, will start the series opener. Known for his consistency, Lopez has allowed no more than three runs in any of his 17 starts this season. His last outing was a tough game against the San Diego Padres, where he conceded three runs on a season-high 11 hits.

Facing Hunter Greene

Lopez will face Cincinnati’s right-hander and National League All-Star Hunter Greene. Greene, with a 6-4 record and a 3.34 ERA, will make his 20th start of the season. In his last game, Greene delivered a strong performance against the Colorado Rockies, allowing just one run and striking out a season-high 10 batters over six innings.

Team Performances and Series Outlook

Reds’ Recent Struggles

The Reds are coming off a challenging series, having been swept by the Washington Nationals post-All-Star break. Their current four-game losing streak includes Sunday’s 5-2 defeat, adding pressure as they head into this series against the Braves.

Braves’ Recent Series

The Braves themselves faced a tough series against the St. Louis Cardinals, losing two out of three games. Despite these setbacks, they have a strong historical performance against the Reds, having won five out of six games last season, including a three-game sweep at home.

Conclusion

As the Braves look to overcome their injury challenges, this series against the Reds presents an opportunity to rebound and demonstrate their depth and resilience. The performances of call-ups like Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Dylan Dodd, along with the stability provided by pitchers like Reynaldo Lopez, will be crucial in navigating these adversities and striving for victories.

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