The Atlanta Braves are trying to avoid losing their fourth straight game as they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at SunTrust Park. The game gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET and this NL showdown will be shown on either ATPT or FSSO.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta (-155) is favored over Pittsburgh (+145) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 8 runs. Odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at Pirates +1.5 runs (-150) and Braves -1.5 runs (+130).
The Braves are 74-60 straight up (SU) and 68-64 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 17.1 units for moneyline bettors and 0.1 units (ATS). Atlanta has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 66-69 SU and have gone 64-70 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 4.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 12.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Braves games have a 62-65-5 over/under record in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 61-65-8.
Chris Archer will get the start for the Bucs. The right-handed Archer is 4-7 with a 4.72 ERA and 126 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves will be sending righty Kevin Gausman (9-9, 3.87 ERA) to the mound. Gausman has 126 strikeouts and 39 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.28 WHIP. Gausman is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.54 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.
The Atlanta offense has produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .282/.354/.418 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
First baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Nick Markakis have led the Braves’ batters this year. Freeman is hitting .309/.392/.508 with 20 home runs, 81 RBIs and 82 runs scored, and Markakis is batting .305 with 14 homers, 83 RBIs and 71 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.14 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.32 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.96, along with a K-per-9 of 9.62.
The Pirates offense has slashed .253/.321/.406 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this year, including 2.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson have paced Pittsburgh’s offense. Marte is hitting .279/.325/.457 with 17 home runs, 59 RBIs, 68 runs and 30 steals. Dickerson (.296/.325/.461) has produced 11 homers, 46 RBIs and 54 runs scored.
The Pirates have gained 3.6 units and are 47-48 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 38 of those games, compared to 50 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 20.7 units and are 52-41 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 42 of those games, compared to 47 which went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Pittsburgh has recorded nine extra-base hits over its last five outings. Atlanta has 12 XBH over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit four home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit 12 over their last 10.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 19.4 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 contests and 17.0 over its last five.
