Tue May 06 00:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Braves Look to Climb Above .500 Against Cincinnati Reds
**Atlanta, GA** – The Atlanta Braves, currently three games below .500, begin a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, hoping to build momentum and improve their standing in the NL East. The Reds, with a record of 18-17, present a middling challenge, boasting a balanced, yet unspectacular, offense and pitching staff.
The Braves will counter Cincinnati’s .500 record with rookie pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver. While Smith-Shawver has impressive peripherals, his high number of allowed hits on contact raises concerns. His last start against the Rockies showed promise (5 strikeouts, 1 walk), but the Reds represent a stiffer test.
Facing the Braves’ bats will be Brady Singer, whose performance has been inconsistent. While he started the season strong, Singer has recently struggled with home runs, having allowed one in his last four outings. His past encounters with the Braves have been a mixed bag, including one outing with eight strikeouts and zero walks but four home runs conceded.
This series marks a crucial opportunity for the Braves to make a push towards .500. The first game is scheduled for Monday, May 5th, at 7:15 pm EDT at Truist Park. The game will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network South/Southeast and MLB Network (out-of-market).
First Piper 