The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates clash Monday in game 1 of an MLB series at PNC Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Braves look for a win after winning 9 of their last 15 games. The Braves have a 10.5 game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. The Braves pitching staff is 9th in ERA (3.86), 13th in WHIP (1.27) and 13th in quality starts (40). The Braves’ offense is 2nd in runs per game (5.68), 2nd in batting average (.272) and 1st in homers (212). Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 149 hits and 67 RBI, while Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies have combined for 228 hits and 145 RBI. Spencer Strider gets the ball, and he is 12-3 with a 3.61 ERA and 208 strikeouts this season. This will be Strider’s second career game against the Pirates.

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won each of their last eight games against the Pirates.
• The Braves have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Pirates.
• The Braves have led after 7 innings in each of their last eight games against the Pirates.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last three games at PNC Park.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last five night games against NL Central opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Ronald Acuna Jr. has recorded two or more hits in each of the Braves’ last eight games against NL Central opponents.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Braves’ last eight games against NL Central opponents.
• Matt Olson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Braves’ last nine games.
• Spencer Strider has recorded 10+ strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
• Eddie Rosario has hit at least one home run in each of the Braves’ last three games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Ozzie Albies has scored at least one run in each of the Braves’ last 16 games as favourites against NL Central opponents.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. ranks 1st in the league in Steals (53) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates look to play spoiler after winning 6 of their last 10 games. The Pirates are still 7.5 games back in the wild card race. The Pirates pitching staff is 22nd in ERA (4.50), 24th in WHIP (1.38) and 12th in quality starts (42). The Pirates’ offense is 24th in runs per game (4.12), 26th in batting average (.235) and 25th in homers (108). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 100 hits and 53 RBI, while Andrew McCutchen and Ke’Bryan Hayes have combined for 155 hits and 62 RBI. Osvaldo Bido gets the ball, and he is 2-2 with a 5.18 ERA and 31 strikeouts this season. This will be Bido’s first career game against the Braves.

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

• The Pirates have lost each of their last seven games following a road win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 7 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last seven home games against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as underdogs.
• Bryan Reynolds has scored a run in each of the Pirates’ last five games as home underdogs.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances against NL East opponents.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded three or more total bases in each of his four previous home appearances against the Braves after playing the previous day.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 28th in the league for hits this season (863).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 26th in the league for RBI’s this season (436).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for home runs this season (212).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for slugging percentage this season (.499).

Randy’s Pick

The Braves are just too consistent to bet against, especially against a team like the Pirates that have little to no offense and have had issues stringing wins together these last few months. Osvaldo Bido also hasn’t been great, with his 5.18 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. At home this season, Bido has a 8.40 ERA and .258 allowed batting average. Not ideal when going up against probably the best offense in baseball in the Braves. The Braves have won 10 of Spencer Strider’s last 12 starts, and he has a 2.93 ERA on the road. Give me the Braves and the RL for max betting value.