A 9th inning lapse in defensive communication cost the Cincinnati Reds a potential victory against the Atlanta Braves. In a tightly contested game, Stuart Fairchild scored the game-tying run on a double from Michael Harris II. Reds analyst Jeff Brantley criticized the hesitation from second baseman Matt McLain, noting that a lack of communication led to a missed opportunity to prevent Fairchild from scoring. McLain's indecision was pivotal as he turned to locate the runner instead of making a decisive throw home, which Reds manager Terry Francona acknowledged.

Brantley's criticism extended to the officiating in the game, particularly a foul tip call that went against the Reds earlier in the match. The Reds, now on a four-game losing streak, are left reflecting on missed chances as they focus on regaining their footing in the season.

Jeff Brantley criticized umpires for a controversial foul-tip call during the Reds' clash with the Braves. In a pivotal moment, Blake Dunn, at bat with a 3-2 count, seemed to either be hit by a pitch or draw a walk, but was declared out after the home-plate umpire ruled a foul tip. Replays indicated the ball hit Dunn’s glove, not the bat. Brantley expressed disbelief at the decision, emphasizing that the umpires' judgment is increasingly questionable.

Reds manager Terry Francona sought clarification on the call, but the ruling stood after a challenge. Brantley lamented the inability to contest a foul-ball call, underlining the impact such decisions have on the game. His passionate remarks reflect ongoing frustrations with officiating in Major League Baseball.

The Cincinnati Reds faced a tough night as Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves hit an inside-the-park home run. The incident led to a severe injury for Reds prospect Tyler Callihan, who fractured his left forearm while attempting to make the catch. Despite the Reds' struggles, Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver shined, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before it was broken up by Santiago Espinal. Elly De La Cruz's disappointing outing also marked the end of his impressive on-base streak.

As we gear up for an exciting slate of MLB action, identifying the top DFS picks is crucial for success. Cole Ragans, projected as the highest-owned pitcher, is poised for a strong performance against the Chicago White Sox, who struggle against left-handed pitchers. His impressive metrics, including high strikeout percentages, make him a must-have in any lineup.

Along with Ragans, consider Miles Mikolas against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are also struggling. Despite his rocky start, Mikolas has shown potential to exceed expectations in this matchup. For infield options, Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco present great value, while outfielders like Jose Altuve and Lars Nootbaar have favorable matchups that could result in high returns.

The recommended stacking options include the Houston Astros against Tobias Myers, who has been ineffective on the mound. The Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals also feature prominently as stackable teams tonight, capitalizing on opposing pitchers' weaknesses to maximize scoring opportunities.

Shohei Ohtani's impressive performance continues, hitting his eighth home run this season during the Dodgers' 10-3 victory over Atlanta. As he gears up to return to the mound, he is once again a strong candidate for the NL MVP award. However, betting on Ohtani to hit home runs presents a challenge due to his current odds of +260 at BetMGM. The conditions at Truist Park may favor hitters, especially with winds blowing out and Braves pitcher Bryce Elder's struggle with home runs this season—allowing six in just five starts.

Meanwhile, prospects for other sluggers remain bright. Brent Rooker from the Athletics has logged nine home runs already this season, and his matchup against Marlins pitcher Edwin Cabrera, who has a 7.23 ERA and has given up a home run in every start, could provide value at +425 odds. Pete Alonso of the Mets, leading the NL in several key stats, including batting average and slugging percentage, faces a struggling Cardinals pitcher and carries compelling odds of +460. Willy Adames also represents a potential value play with odds of +520 against a Rockies pitcher with a high ERA.