Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves – July 22, 2024

After a worst-case run in our nation’s capital last weekend, the Cincinnati Reds (47-53) turn to Hunter Greene to try to get the ship back on course against the Atlanta Braves (54-44). Atlanta enters this series in second place behind Philadelphia in the NL East and firmly in control of the first wild-card spot. The Braves have done well with pitching, as they have the second-best team ERA in the National League at 3.46, trailing only the Phillies. (For comparison, the Reds’ team ERA is 3.88.)

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

Lineups

Cincinnati Reds	Atlanta Braves
2B Jonathan India	CF Jarred Kelenic
SS Elly De La Cruz	2B Ignacio Alvarez
DH Jeimer Candelario	3B Austin Riley
1B Spencer Taurus	DH Marcell Ozuna
C Tyler Stephenson	1B Matt Olson
RF Jake Fraley	RF Adam Duvall
3B Noëlvi Marte	LF Eddie Rosario
CF Stuart Fairchild	C. Sean Murphy
LF Zal Benson	SS Orlando Arcia

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 success tonight as he goes up against some tough Braves hitters. He has pitched slightly better off the field, posting a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. That compares to a 3.94 ERA at GABP in 11 starts. The biggest reason for that disparity is home runs. He has allowed seven home runs at GABP, compared to just three off the field.

Splits

Split	FATHER	H	2B	3B	Staff	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	224	41	7	2	5	10%	24%	.211	.305	.345
Left	232	37	9	1	5	10%	31%	.189	.294	.321

Pitch usage

	4-seam	Slider	Split	Curve
Velo	97.7	86.6	86.8	80.6
Usage	56%	34%	8%	2%

Reynaldo Lopez

The 30-year-old right-hander Reynaldo López has had quite the journey to get to where he is today. He began his career in 2016 with the Washington Nationals, but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December 2016. He started games from 2017-2020, but the White Sox converted him to a reliever in 2021. In 217 games from 2021-2023 with three different teams, he only started 10 games. This period is where he really started to shine, posting 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 decision they could have made this year. López has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, especially at home. He has 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 an elite player. He simply doesn’t let batters walk, doesn’t give up home runs, and has been consistent in every start. His slider is his best pitch, with a 41% whiff rate. He throws that pitch more often to right-handed batters, and it shows in his strikeout-walk ratio against righties.

Splits

Split	FATHER	H	2B	3B	Staff	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	170	35	11	0	2	4%	27%	.217	.247	.323
Left	216	43	4	1	4	13%	23%	.231	.326	.328

Pitch usage

	4-seam	Slider	Curve	Change
Velo	95.4	84.7	77.0	86.0
Usage	57%	28%	11%	4%

Game details:

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

News and Notes

Red is said to be a salesman

ICYMI, MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi reported late Sunday night that the Reds are beginning to trade players with expiring contracts. That weekend auction by the Nationals was painful in more ways than one.

Minor League News and Notes

– Read 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 this past weekend.

Statistics of the day

Let’s end on 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’re more than halfway through the season.