Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions May 8th 2025

Four-Game Skid Broken, Reds Eye Series Split Against Braves in Finale

The Cincinnati Reds finally found relief in a tense 4-3 victory on Wednesday, snapping a four-game losing streak and keeping their series against the Atlanta Braves alive. Now, both teams head into Thursday’s finale looking to close out the four-game set with momentum.

Atlanta, winners of the first two games, saw their bats quieted Wednesday night. Cincinnati, powered by two homers from TJ Friedl, delivered a timely win after several close calls during their recent slump.

With the series now 2-1 in favor of Atlanta, Thursday’s matchup features a duel between two pitchers searching for answers: Spencer Schwellenbach for the Braves and Nick Lodolo for the Reds.

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Spencer Schwellenbach: Rookie Growing Through Adversity

After dazzling early in the season—posting a 0.45 ERA across his first three starts—Spencer Schwellenbach (1-3, 3.92 ERA) has come crashing back to Earth.

In his last four outings, the 24-year-old has allowed 19 runs (17 earned) over 21.1 innings, including a rough performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday where he was chased after just 3.2 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits.

“I’m not sure why,” Schwellenbach said postgame. “They were laying off some good pitches and got into good hitter’s counts.”

Manager Brian Snitker remained patient. “He’s learning on the job… He doesn’t have a lot of experience to fall back on, but he’ll learn how to get through adversity.”

Last season, Schwellenbach looked sharp against the Reds in his only appearance—six innings, five strikeouts, and one earned run. Atlanta hopes he can find that form again Thursday to close out the homestand strong.

Explore more pitcher stats on the MLB Team Page.

Nick Lodolo: A Rough Night to Bounce Back From

Nick Lodolo (3-3, 3.27 ERA) has been one of Cincinnati’s most reliable arms in 2025. But even aces have bad nights, and his outing Saturday against the Washington Nationals was just that.

In 5.1 innings, Lodolo allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks, marking the first time this season he’s allowed more than four runs in a game.

“I wasn’t executing at a high clip,” Lodolo admitted. “That’s it. I wasn’t getting in good counts.”

Despite the rocky outing, manager Terry Francona praised his stuff: “He probably wasn’t commanding like he can, and it cost him, but I thought his pitches still had life.”

Thursday marks Lodolo’s first career appearance against the Braves, and he’ll need to find his rhythm early against a patient lineup.

Friedl Powers Reds with Big Bats

Wednesday’s win wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak—it was about rediscovering the power stroke. TJ Friedl went deep twice, providing Cincinnati’s first home runs of the series and propelling them to the win.

The Reds now have 22 road home runs in 19 games, nearly matching their total at Great American Ball Park, a known hitter’s haven.

Friedl’s timely swing may be exactly what the Reds need to level the series before heading back home.

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Atlanta’s Young Bats Look to Reignite

The Braves offense, after a strong series start, cooled on Wednesday. Austin Riley managed to extend his hitting streak to six games, but the lineup as a whole lacked the firepower seen earlier in the series.

Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal’s seven-game hitting streak ended in a frustrating night at the plate. Though he reached base on a walk, he was picked off in the eighth inning—one of several missed opportunities.

Expect Atlanta to come out aggressive in the finale, especially against a pitcher like Lodolo who’s still finding consistency.

Injury Update: Reds Lose Noelvi Marte

The Reds were dealt a blow before Wednesday’s win with the announcement that Noelvi Marte was placed on the injured list due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. Marte, who is hitting .294, was a late scratch Tuesday after reporting soreness.

Manager Terry Francona confirmed it’s not a short-term injury, leaving the Reds without a key piece for the foreseeable future.

To fill the gap, Rece Hinds was called up from Triple-A Louisville. Hinds got the start Wednesday but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first MLB appearance this season. The team will hope he adjusts quickly to big-league pitching.

Key Matchups to Watch

Schwellenbach vs. Elly De La Cruz:

• De La Cruz has elite plate discipline and game-changing speed. If Schwellenbach gets behind in the count, look for De La Cruz to turn up the pressure.

Lodolo vs. Matt Olson:

• Olson hasn’t homered this series, but he’s always a threat against lefties. Lodolo must be precise with his breaking ball to neutralize his power.

Bullpen Battle:

• Both teams used their pens heavily Wednesday. Whichever starter goes deeper into the game will give their club a huge edge.

Series Storylines So Far

• Game 1: Braves win 5-3 with a balanced offensive attack and late-inning insurance
• Game 2: Atlanta dominates early and holds off a Reds rally, 6-4
• Game 3: Reds break through with power; Friedl’s two HRs lead to a 4-3 win

A split would offer Cincinnati much-needed momentum after their losing skid, while Atlanta would love to finish the homestand with a series win before hitting the road.

Want to place smarter bets? Explore our MLB Betting Guide for expert tips.

FAQs

Who is starting the series finale for the Braves and Reds?

• Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) vs. Nick Lodolo (CIN).

How did the Reds break their four-game losing streak?

• They won 4-3 Wednesday, led by TJ Friedl’s two home runs.

What’s Lodolo’s record this season?

• He’s 3-3 with a 3.27 ERA over seven starts.

What’s Schwellenbach’s recent form?

• He has allowed 19 runs over his last 21.1 innings after a strong start to the year.

What’s the status of Noelvi Marte?

• He’s on the IL with a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss extended time.

Where can I find game picks for this series?

• Head to the MLB Picks Page for daily betting analysis.