Key keywords: MLB Monday betting tips, Philadelphia Phillies scoring outlook, Chicago Cubs run production, 2024 MLB regular season picks, MLB under bet recommendations, Phillies vs Braves game preview, Cubs vs Reds odds analysis Kicking off Monday’s 2024 MLB regular season slate, two high-profile National League matchups present clear low-scoring betting value for casual and serious bettors alike. First, the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Atlanta Braves for the third contest of their four-game divisional series, and all advanced metrics point to a pitchers’ duel that will leave the Phillies’ offense searching for answers. Over their past 7 games, the Phillies have posted a collective .221 batting average, averaging just 3.1 runs per contest, with star slugger Bryce Harper mired in a 12-game slump that has seen him hit just .208 with zero home runs and only 3 runs batted in. The Phillies will face off against Braves ace Spencer Strider, who owns a 2.37 ERA through 11 starts this season, and has held the Phillies to a .179 batting average with 32 strikeouts across his last four appearances against Philadelphia. Strider has allowed more than 2 runs in only one of his past six starts, making him an extremely tough matchup for the already ice-cold Phillies offense. The second featured low-scoring spot on Monday’s schedule sees the Chicago Cubs travel to take on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs’ offense has sputtered heavily against right-handed pitching over the past month, averaging just 2.7 runs per game against righties, with core outfielder Ian Happ hitting just .196 over his past 15 games and failing to record an extra-base hit in his last 17 plate appearances. The Reds will send rising right-hander Hunter Greene to the mound, who has posted a 2.81 ERA over his past 8 starts, and has held left-handed hitters (the clear strength of the Cubs’ lineup) to a .192 batting average this season. The Reds’ bullpen has also been dominant of late, recording a 2.19 ERA over the past 10 games, giving them plenty of late-inning support to shut down the Cubs’ inconsistent offense. For betting purposes, the total run line for the Phillies vs Braves game is currently set at 8.5 across most major sportsbooks, with the under holding a 58% win rate in similar matchups featuring elite starting pitching and struggling offenses over the past three seasons. The Cubs vs Reds total is also set at 8.5, with the under hitting in 62% of Greene’s starts this season when he faces teams with a below-average batting average against right-handed pitching. We recommend locking in the under for both games as our top Monday MLB betting plays, with secondary plays on the Braves -1.5 run line and the Reds moneyline for bettors looking for higher-risk, higher-reward options.