Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions May 6th 2025

Chris Sale and Andrew Abbott Go Head-to-Head in Braves-Reds Lefty Showdown

The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set for a battle of southpaws on Tuesday as Chris Sale takes the mound for Atlanta against Cincinnati’s rising talent Andrew Abbott. With the Braves riding high after a 4-0 win in Monday’s opener, and the Reds looking to stop a three-game skid, the matchup promises to be an intriguing mid-series clash.

Sale Seeks Consistency After Strong Outing

Chris Sale, Atlanta’s 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner, is aiming to build off his most complete performance of the season. In his latest start against the Rockies, Sale threw a season-high seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and striking out ten without issuing a walk. Despite the impressive outing, Sale was saddled with a tough-luck loss due to lack of run support.

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“I’d probably say there are three or four cues that I need to do delivery-wise, and I just wasn’t doing those early on,”
— Chris Sale, Braves Pitcher

Sale brings a 1-3 record and 4.84 ERA into Tuesday’s game, but signs of a return to form suggest better days ahead. He has faced the Reds only twice in his career, winning one game with a solid 3.12 ERA. His lone start against Cincinnati last year ended in a victory.

Abbott Adds New Weapon to Arsenal

For the Reds, Andrew Abbott continues to be one of the brightest spots on the roster. The young lefty owns a 2-0 record with a 2.84 ERA so far in 2025. His most recent outing against the Cardinals was limited to four innings due to a lengthy rain delay, but he surrendered just one unearned run on three hits before exiting.

In just 50 career starts, Abbott has compiled a 3.72 ERA—the best mark by any Reds lefty through their first 50 outings since Tom Browning in the mid-1980s.

“When you have a lefty with a changeup, it just seems to work really well,”
— Terry Francona, Reds Manager

This season, Abbott has added a change-up to his mix, giving him an extra edge on the mound as he prepares to face the Braves for the first time.

Braves Bolstered by Smith-Shawver, Await Acuna’s Return

Atlanta opened the series with a dominant win behind a near no-hitter from A.J. Smith-Shawver, who carried his gem into the eighth inning. That kind of pitching depth only adds to Atlanta’s confidence, especially as they await the return of their star, Ronald Acuna Jr.

The 2023 NL MVP is set to begin a rehab assignment later this month. Recovering from a torn ACL suffered last May, Acuna is currently training at the Braves’ facility in Florida and could be back in the lineup before the month ends.

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Injury Woes for Cincinnati

The Reds suffered a tough blow Monday when rookie left fielder Tyler Callihan broke his forearm crashing into the wall while making a play. It was just his fourth game in the big leagues.

“I feel bad for the young man. He was just laying it out there for his club. I hope it’s something they can set… and he can get on with his career.”
— Brian Snitker, Braves Manager

Callihan’s injury adds to a growing list of challenges for Cincinnati, which has lost five of its last seven games.