Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves – July 22, 2024

After the worst possible result in our nation’s capital over the weekend, the Cincinnati Reds (47-53) turn to Hunter Greene to try to right the ship against the Atlanta Braves (54-44). Atlanta comes into this series in second place behind Philadelphia in the NL East and solidly in control of the first wild card spot. The Braves are getting it done with pitching, as they have the second-best team ERA in the National League at 3.46 behind only the Phillies. (For context, the Reds’ team ERA is 3.88).

Tonight’s pitching matchup involves two National League All-Stars. First pitch from Truist Park is at 7:20 PM EDT.

Lineups

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 only four walks. Greene will look to continue that success tonight as he faces some tough Braves hitters. He pitched a little better on the road, with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. This is in comparison to a 3.94 ERA at GABP in 11 starts. The biggest reason for this difference is the home runs. He’s allowed seven home runs at GABP compared to just three on the road.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Reynaldo Lopez

Thirty-year-old right-hander Reynaldo López has left the story to get 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 2017-2020, but the White Sox turned him into a reliever in 2021. In 217 games from 2021-2023 with three different teams, he started only 10 games. This stretch is where 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’s been the best decision they could’ve made this year. López has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, and 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 lead you to assume he’s been elite. He just doesn’t walk batters, doesn’t give up home runs, and has stayed consistent through every start. His slider is his best pitch, with a 41% whiff rate. He throws that pitch more to right-handed hitters, and it shows in his strikeout to walk ratio against righties.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Game Details:

• Time: 7:20 pm ET
• Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
• Weather: 79 degrees, mostly cloudy w/ thunderstorms, 51% chance of rain
• TV: Bally Sports Ohio
• Radio: 700 WLW

News and Notes

Reds are Reportedly Sellers

ICYMI, MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi reported late Sunday night that the Reds are starting to look at trading players on expiring contracts. That weekend sweep by the Nationals hurt in more ways than one.

Minor League News and Notes

–Catch up on what the Reds minor league teams did on 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.

Stat of the Day

Let’s end we have a positive note. If there’s one good thing to take away from the Reds season so far, it’s the starting pitching. Only eight different pitchers have started games for Cincinnati, and we are 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