Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves – May 5, 2025

The Cincinnati Reds (18-17) head to Atlanta tonight for the start of a four-game series with the Braves at Truist Park. The Braves come into this series at 15-18 and in fourth place in the NL East. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games, with series wins over the Diamondbacks and Rockies and most recently, a series loss to the Dodgers at home.

First pitch is at 7:15 PM EDT.

Lineups

CF TJ Friedl LF Alex Verdugo 2B Matt McLain 3B Austin Riley SS Elly De La Cruz DH Marcell Ozuna DH Gavin Lux 1B Matt Olson 1B Spencer Steer C Sean Murphy C Tyler Stephenson 2B Ozzie Albies RF Jake Fraley CF Michael Harris II 3B Santiago Espinal RF Eli White LF Tyler Callihan SS Nick Allen Starting Pitchers

Brady Singer

Right-hander Brady Singer has had a tougher time on the road this season than at home, with a 4.09 ERA away from Great American Ball Park in two fewer starts. For comparison, his home ERA is 2.82 in four starts at GABP. However, the small sample size is really skewing those numbers. Singer has actually given up more runs at home (seven earned runs at GABP vs. five on the road), but he’s also pitched double the innings at GABP. He’s allowed more hits (13) in 11.0 innings at home compared to only 11 hits in 22.1 innings at home.

Splits

Split PA H 2B 3B HR BB% K% AVG OBP SLG RHH 54 9 3 0 1 7% 28% .184 .259 .306 LHH 81 15 1 1 3 10% 26% .208 .284 .375 Pitch Usage

2-Seam Slider Cutter 4-Seam Sweeper Velo 92.2 82.2 88.1 91.7 80.7 Usage 41.6% 32.4% 13% 10.4% 2.6% AJ Smith-Shawver

22-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver has pitched at the big league level since 2023, but in very limited appearances. He’s pitched only 48.2 innings in his career, but of those innings pitched, 19.0 have come this season. Smith-Shawver exited the game in the sixth inning when a line drive ricocheted off his elbow during his last start on Tuesday against the Rockies. The X-rays were negative and he is making his next scheduled start tonight against the Reds.

Smith-Shawver has faced righties and lefties about equally thus far in his career, but lefties have had more success, with an .802 OPS against him. He does have 28 strikeouts against lefties, but has also walked 14 batters and given up seven home runs in 113 plate appearances. Two of those left-handed hitters are Jake Fraley and Elly De La Cruz, who each have one home run against him.

Splits

Split PA H 2B 3B HR BB% K% AVG OBP SLG RHH 40 12 3 0 1 15% 20% .364 .462 .546 LHH 46 11 2 0 2 7% 30% .256 .304 .442 Pitch Usage