The Atlanta Braves (26-16) and Cincinnati Reds (21-19) will open up a four-game National League series on Monday night at the Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET on ESPN

Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds 

Atlanta opened its seven-game road trip by taking two of three against the Tampa Bay Rays, including a 2-0 victory on Sunday.  The Braves have now won seven of their past 10 games, and still lead the NL East division by 1.5 games over the Washington Nationals.  It’s uncertain if third baseman Chipper Jones will be in the lineup tonight, as he’s listed day to day with a bruise on his left calf, entering the week hitting .307 with five home runs and 24 RBI.  The club is 19-5 with the future Hall of Famer in the lineup, while going 7-11 without him.  Atlanta is 0-6 when playing on Monday this year.

Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09 ERA) is searching for his first victory since April 19, coming off an 8-4 setback to the Miami Marlins at home, giving up six runs and six hits over 4.2 frames.  The left-hander has been awful in three starts this month, posting an 0-1 record and 12.56 ERA, as opponents are hitting .369 against him.  In five road outings this year, Minor has compiled an even 1-1 record and 7.53 ERA, serving up six home runs in 28.2 innings.  He will be making his first career appearance against the Reds in this affair.

Cincinnati finished its seven-game road trip with a winning 4-3 record, including a 5-2 victory over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  “To be able to come into their house and get two out of three, job well done,” commented Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick.  The Reds are now 6-1-3 in their last 10 series, with one of those ties coming against Atlanta in a shortened two-game set on May 14-15.  Cincinnati is 5-3 at home with a money line of -100 to -125, with the “over” going 5-3 in those contests.

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21 ERA) led the club to a 6-3 road win over the New York Mets last time out in a no-decision effort, allowing three runs (one earned) and seven hits over six frames.  The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.53 ERA in three home outings, as opposing hitters are batting .375 against him.  In two career starts versus the Braves, Leake is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA, while not giving up a home run in 12 innings of work.

Bettors will likely back the Reds due to their 12-5 record at home when coming off a road trip of seven or more days, while the Braves are 8-17 in series openers.

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