Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves are set to do battle against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in a Thursday night game. This NL matchup gets going at 12:35 p.m. ET and you can catch it on both ATPT and FSSE.
Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Bookmakers have placed equal -105 moneyline odds on each team. The total currently stands at 9.5 runs and bettors can play the over for -120 and the under for an even +100. This game currently has a runline of Braves -1.5 (+140) and Pirates +1.5 (-160).
The Pirates are 29-31 straight up (SU) and 30-29 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.0 units for moneyline bettors while earning 4.3 units ATS. The Braves are 33-28 SU and have gone 30-30 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 1.9 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.6 units ATS.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 34-23-2 thus far in 2019. Atlanta has also been a decent over bet with a total record of 31-24-5.
The right-handed Mike Foltynewicz is getting the start for Atlanta. Foltynewicz is 1-4 with a 6.10 ERA and 32 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Pirates are turning to righty Chris Archer (2-5, 5.66 ERA), who’s got 47 punchouts and 26 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.47. Archer made two starts against the team in 2018, putting together a 0-1 record in 2018, compiling a 0-1 record with a 1.80 ERA and eight strikeouts.
Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.15 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.25, along with a K-per-9 of 9.55.
Braves hitters have slashed .258/.333/.440 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 5.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
First baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. continue to lead Atlanta’s offense. Freeman is hitting .306/.392/.570 with 15 home runs, 37 RBIs and 44 runs scored, while Acuna Jr. is hitting .280 with 12 homers, 35 RBIs, 38 runs and eight steals.
For the home team, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 5.5 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.80, a WHIP of 1.32 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.1. The bullpen has a 5.27 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.
The Pittsburgh hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per contest, including 6.0 per game over its last 10 games and 6.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .318/.381/.470 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte have led the Pirates’ offense this year. Bell is slashing .330/.393/.678 with 18 home runs, 54 RBIs and 43 runs scored, while Marte’s line sits at .284/.328/.459 with seven homers, 26 RBIs, 35 runs and 10 steals.
The Braves have lost 3.1 units and are 22-22 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 21 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 4.5 units and are 22-21 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under.
Braves at Pirates Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in five of Atlanta’s last seven outings.
- Atlanta fielders have 10 errors over the last 10 games, compared to only three errors for Pittsburgh over its last 10.
- The Braves have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
- The Braves have a total OPS of .773 this season and an OPS of .750 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .722 overall and .734 versus righties.
