MLB picks: Blue Jays vs. Braves, Reds vs. Indians

Interleague matchups are front-and-center in our MLB best bets column for Wednesday night as the Toronto Blue Jays visit the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds face the Cleveland Indians.

Toronto Blue Jays (3-5) at Atlanta Braves (8-4), 7:10 p.m. ET

Struggling starter Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the hill once more for the Blue Jays, but bettors should not expect a reversal of fortune as he faces the Braves at Truist Park on Wednesday night.

Ryu has not lived up to the four-year, $80 million contract he signed in the offseason thus far. He’s allowed eight earned runs and has a WHIP of 1.889 over his first two starts for Toronto (nine innings). Ryu should be wary of Ronald Acuna Jr., who finally seems to be hitting his stride as he’s 7-for-15 with a homer, four RBI and four walks since the start of August. The Blue Jays’ bullpen, which has produced a 4.11 ERA on the season (15th), will likely add gasoline to the fire in Atlanta.

Braves starter Sean Newcomb has struggled to get through innings in 2020, pitching just 3 1/3 and 4 1/3 frames, respectively, in his first two efforts. He’s surrendered seven earned runs in that span. However, he’s backed by a bullpen that’s pitched to a 3.02 ERA (ninth) through 53 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays’ bats have not excelled in 2020, ranking 20th in OPS (.671).

MLB Free Play: Braves moneyline

Cincinnati Reds (5-6) at Cleveland Indians (6-6), 7:10 p.m. ET

Bettors should lean on the Indians and veteran hurler Mike Clevinger as they meet the Reds and rookie starter Tejay Antone at Progressive Field on Wednesday night.

Antone had a fine initial outing against the Cubs, with a home run by Anthony Rizzo being the only blemish, but he pitched just 4 1/3 innings. That will likely mean another taxing evening for Cincinnati’s bullpen, which is a dreadful 26th in ERA at 6.21. Even Cleveland’s struggling order (29th in OPS at .551) should scratch together some runs at home against this subpar unit.

Clevinger was chased after four frames by the Twins at Target Field in his most recent start last Friday, but his home splits from 2019 are remarkable. He was 5-1 in Cleveland last year with a 1.78 ERA (10 starts). He also aced the Royals on July 25 when he held them to two runs over seven innings in his lone home outing of 2020. Clevinger can also rely on a relief corps that’s fourth in ERA at 1.65 this season.

MLB free pick: Indians moneyline