Professional sports handicapper Jeff Grant previews the final game of a weekend series between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves at Turner Field

Cincinnati is 2-9 following a season high-tying five-game winning streak and dropped its second extra-inning game of the week in Saturday night's 7-6 loss in Atlanta. "That was some game," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "That's a game you like to play in, a game you like to watch and a game you hate to lose." The Reds are now 2-7 on their season-long 10-game road trip after going 4-4 in their previous eight road series. The club hasn't experience much success in tonight's venue, posting a 20-31 mark at Turner Field. Third baseman Scott Rolen will be called upon to produce offensively due to hitting .444 (4-for-9) against tonight's opposing starter with a home run and two RBIs. Cincinnati is 23-21 versus right-handed starters this year.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto is 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA in four starts this season and is coming off a solid no-decision effort on the road against the Phillies. Cincinnati tallied a 6-3 victory in that particular game, as the right-hander tossed six solid innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. Cueto has compiled a 1-0 mark and 2.25 ERA in two road outings and hasn't allowed a home run in 12 frames away from the Great American Ball Park. In three career starts versus the Braves, he is 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA, giving up just a single run and three hits in six lifetime innings at Turner Field.

Atlanta squandered a 5-0 lead Saturday night in ultimately celebrating a 7-6, 12-inning win over Cincinnati. Third baseman Chipper Jones delivered the final blow with an RBI single, handing the Reds their second extra-innings loss this week. "They never give up," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "We get a five-run lead, and we can't hold that lead. They never give up. It's a good trait to have for a baseball team." The club has won four of its last six games and is 16-9 in the month of May. Offensively, the club ranks third in the National League with a team batting average of .258 this month. Atlanta is 16-16 in night games this year.

Braves starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens is a dominating 6-1 with a 1.56 ERA in eight starts this season and has issued just nine walks in 57.2 innings. "I'm just happy to be out there pitching," Jurrjens commented. "I'm just going out there every start and trying to compete." The right-hander is coming off a brilliant 2-0 road victory over the Pirates, throwing 7 2/3 shutout innings and allowing just six hits. Jurrjens puts his perfect 3-0 home record on the line tonight, as opponents are hitting just .164 against him at Turner Field. In four previous starts versus the Reds, he is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA, issuing 10 free passes and registering 13 walks in 20 frames.

Bettors will likely back the Braves due to their 10-1 record versus the NL Central, while the Reds are 3-7 in Cueto's last 10 starts
 

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