Cincinnati Reds vs Atlanta Braves – July 22, 2024

After the worst possible result in our nation’s capital this weekend, the Cincinnati Reds (47-53) look to Hunter Greene to try to turn things around against the Atlanta Braves (54-44). Atlanta enters this series second behind Philadelphia in the NL East and firmly in control of the first wild-card spot. The Braves get the job done with their pitching, as they have the second-best team ERA in the National League at 3.46 behind the Phillies. (For context, the Reds’ team ERA is 3.88.)

Tonight’s pitching matchup features two National League All-Stars. First pitch from Truist Park will be at 7:20 p.m. ET.

Compositions

Starting Pitchers

Hunter Greene

Right-hander Hunter Greene makes his first start since the All-Star break tonight. In the month of July (the All-Star Game doesn’t count, folks), he has a 0.69 ERA in 13.0 innings with 17 strikeouts and just four walks. Greene will look to continue that momentum tonight as he faces a tough Braves lineup. He’s pitched a bit better on the road, with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. That’s compared to a 3.94 ERA in 11 starts. The main reason for that difference is home runs. He’s allowed seven home runs in GABP compared to just three on the road.

Separations

Using the pitch

Reynaldo Lopez

Thirty-year-old right-hander Reynaldo López has quite the story to get to where he is today. He began his career with the Washington Nationals in 2016 but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December 2016. He started games from 2017-20, but the White Sox converted him to a reliever in 2021. In 217 games from 2021-23 with three different teams, he started just 10 games. That’s when he really started to succeed, with a 3.27 ERA and six saves in 66.0 innings. He signed with Atlanta in the offseason, they decided to make him a starter again, and it was the best move they could have made this year. Lopez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, especially at home. He owns a 1.24 ERA in nine starts at Truist Park in 2024.

Aside from his ERA, López doesn’t have any crazy stats that would make you think he’s been an elite player. He doesn’t walk batters, doesn’t give up home runs, and has been consistent in every start. His slider is his best pitch, with a 41% success rate. He throws that pitch more often to right-handed hitters, and it shows in his strikeout-to-walk ratio against righties.

Separations

Land use

Game details:

• Time: 7:20 p.m. ET
• Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
• Weather: 79 degrees, mostly cloudy with thunderstorms, 51% chance of rain
• Television: Bally Sports Ohio
• Radio: 700 WLW

News and Notes

Reds would be sellers

In case you missed it, MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi reported Sunday night that the Reds were beginning to consider trading players on expiring contracts. That masterstroke by the Nationals over the weekend hurt in more ways than one.

Minor League News and Notes

– Check out what the Reds’ minor league teams did Sunday, including how TJ Friedl fared in the first game of his rehab assignment.

– The Reds signed a number of draft picks over the weekend.

Statistic of the day

Let’s end on a positive note. If there’s one positive thing to take away from the Reds’ season so far, it’s the level of starting pitchers. Only eight different pitchers have started games for Cincinnati, and we’re already more than halfway through the season.

how many pitchers have started a game for each team this season pic.twitter.com/VwFV2KdRFl

— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) July 22, 2024

Division standings