The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves meet Friday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. Pittsburgh is coming off a series versus the Brewers. After a split in the first two games, in the Wednesday rubber match the Pirates eked out a close win. As for Atlanta, they took on the Cardinals this week and lost the opener before another defeat in game two. In the finale, the Braves powered out a three-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Pittsburgh Pirates 

The Pirates managed a 4-2 win over the Brewers on Monday, but then fell 7-3 in game two despite a three-run home run by Connor Joe. In the Wednesday rubber match, Pittsburgh came back from an early 3-0 deficit and powered out a 5-4 comeback win. Five different players had one RBI, including a solo homer from Ke’Bryan Hayes. 

In the starter role for the Friday game, the Pirates are going with Mitch Keller. This year in 28 starts Keller is 11-8 with a 3.93 ERA and 187 Ks in 169.2 innings. Keller is 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

• The Pirates have lost each of their last 10 games at Truist Park against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games at Truist Park.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last six games as road underdogs.
• The Pirates have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last seven games at Truist Park.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games at Truist Park against National League opponents.

Atlanta Braves 

Over on the Braves’ side, they took a 10-6 loss to the Cardinals in their opener this week. In game two Atlanta lost again 11-6 after giving up six runs in the first three innings. In the finale the Braves scored three in the first inning and went on to win it 8-5. Ronand Acuna had two solo homers in the victory, and Eddie Rosario had three hits, two RBI and a run. 

As starting pitcher for Friday’s matchup Atlanta will send out Bryce Elder. This year in his 27 starts Elder is 11-4 with a 3.42 ERA and 111 Ks in 155.1 innings total. Elder is 4-2 with a 3.76 ERA in his last seven starts. 

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won each of their last 12 night games against National League opponents following a home win.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 10 Friday games.
• The Braves have led after 7 innings in each of their last 10 Friday games.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last five games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven night games against the Pirates at Truist Park.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for runs scored this season (809).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for hits this season (1313).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks T2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (149).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 27th in the league for hits this season (1095).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I may try the Pirates here. Keller should be able to put together a nice start if he can keep his current run going. Over his last three outings Keller is 2-0 with just three earned in 20.0 innings on 16 hits and five walks. He should be good for a quality start, but it’ll be up to the Pittsburgh offense to help things along. As for the Braves, they had some unexpected trouble with a floundering Cardinals team this week. In the Thursday finale Atlanta had a couple of rough innings on the mound but the offense more than made up for it. The victory was a nice bounce-back effort after a couple of rough games, but Atlanta could conceivably have trouble with Pittsburgh here.