The red-hot Atlanta Braves will go for their sixth straight victory as they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at SunTrust Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET and this NL matchup will be shown on ATPT and FSSE.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
The Pirates have gone 30-36 SU this year and are 32-33 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline, despite having lost 7.7 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Braves, on the other hand, are 38-29 SU and 32-34 ATS. They’ve gained 3.5 units for moneyline bettors and 0.1 units ATS. Atlanta has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven.
Atlanta games have a 35-26-5 over/under record so far in 2019. Pittsburgh has also been a decent over bet with a total record of 37-26-2.
Right-hander Mitch Keller will get the nod for Pittsburgh. Keller is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA and seven strikeouts. He has yet to face the Braves this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Braves will turn to righty Mike Soroka (7-1, 1.38 ERA), who has 57 strikeouts and 17 walks, in addition to a 0.87 WHIP. Soroka did not re a start against the Pirates in 2018.
Atlanta’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.30, a WHIP of 1.30 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 4.24 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
Atlanta’s hitters are putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 6.9 per game over its last 10 games and 7.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .275/.368/.560 over its last five games and is 5-0 SU during that span.
First baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. have paced the Braves’ hitters this year. Freeman is hitting .306/.395/.589 with 18 home runs, 43 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Acuna Jr. is batting .281 with 15 homers, 45 RBIs, 41 runs and nine stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 5.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.88 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.20 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.58, along with a WHIP of 1.36 and a K-per-9 of 9.75.
The Pirates offense has slashed .256/.315/.407 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been fueled by first baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte. Bell is hitting .324/.390/.656 with 18 home runs, 60 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Marte is slashing .286/.328/.471 with nine homers, 31 RBIs, 39 runs and 11 stolen bases.
The Pirates have gained 2.7 units and are 24-25 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 26 of those games, as opposed to 21 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Braves have lost 1.5 units and are 24-26 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 23 of those games, compared to 23 that went under.
Pirates vs. Braves Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh has logged 12 extra-base hits over its last five games. Atlanta has 25 XBH over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit 23 over their last 10.
- The Pirates have a total OPS of .722 this season and an OPS of .739 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Braves’ OPS sits at .783 overall and .765 versus righties.
- Pittsburgh has posted 24.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.8 over its last five.
