The Atlanta Braves will head north to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and this NL showdown will be shown on both ATPT and FSSE.
Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas has listed Atlanta (+105) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-115). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -115 for over eight runs and -105 for under eight. The game’s current runline odds stand at -200 for picking the Braves +1.5 runs and +170 for the Pirates -1.5 runs.
The Pirates are 63-62 straight up (SU) and 60-64 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle much for gamblers, losing 0.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 7.8 units (ATS). Pittsburgh has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Braves have gone 68-55 SU this year and are 63-58 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 18.6 units for moneyline bettors and 0.8 units ATS. Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Neither team has been a strong over/under play this year. Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 58-58-8 in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 59-57-5.
Kevin Gausman is getting the nod for the visiting Braves. The right-handed Gausman (7-9, 4.22 ERA) has racked up 116 strikeouts in 143 innings so far. He has yet to face Pittsburgh this year, but he made two starts against the Pirates in 2017, posting a 0-1 record against them with an 8.44 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
The Pirates will put the ball in the right hand of Chris Archer (4-5, 4.49 ERA), who has 118 strikeouts and 37 walks as well as a 1.42 WHIP. Archer did not record a start against the Braves in 2017.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has yielded 4.4 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.12 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
The Pittsburgh offense has produced 4.4 runs per outing, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 1.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .252/.337/.331 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Pirates’ batters have been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is hitting .308/.340/.485 with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 53 runs scored, and Marte’s line is .275/.319/.464 with 17 homers, 57 RBIs, 63 runs and 28 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 8.65 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.20, along with a WHIP of 1.25.
The Braves offense has slashed .261/.327/.426 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
First baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Nick Markakis have paced Atlanta’s offense. Freeman is hitting .321/.403/.532 with 20 home runs, 77 RBIs and 78 runs scored, while Markakis is hitting .318/.380/.491 with 14 homers, 80 RBIs and 69 runs scored.
The Braves have gained 19.1 units and are 47-37 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 40 of those games, compared to 40 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 7.2 units and are 44-43 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 36 of those games, as opposed to 44 which went under the total.
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Each teams has tallied nine extra-base hits over its last five games.
Pittsburgh has recorded 21.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 18.2 over its last five.
The Braves have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit eight over their last 10.
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