This is an 8* on ATLANTA

This line is way too short given the rather sizable disparity that exists between the two clubs, offensively. Yes, there’s an outstanding starting pitching matchup here with Bauer going for the Reds and Fried for the Braves. Looking at the respective numbers of the two Game 1 starters, it’s essentially a wash. But the problem for Bauer and the Reds is that Atlanta simply has a much stronger lineup. Cincinnati might be the weakest hitting team to have EVER made the MLB playoffs. Atlanta scored the second most runs in all of baseball, trailing only the Dodgers. At home, they averaged 6.3 runs/game while the Reds average just 3.5. It’s asking a lot of Bauer to rectify that discrepancy by himself. The Reds offense ranked dead last in all of baseball in runs scored by means other than a HR. Braves pitching happened to allow the fewest % of runs via the HR in the league. Cincinnati hit just .211 on the season, making them a great matchup for a pitcher like Fried, who is 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 11 starts this year. Play on ATLANTA

AAA