In this article, we will formulate a Braves vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB matchup on Thursday, July 9th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 47‑46 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the NL Central. They have a 24‑23 home record and are coming off a 0‑3 home loss against the Braves. They will face the Brewers and the Guardians next.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a .263 batting average this season, .342 OBP and .424 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.27 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .311 batting average. Brandon Lowe leads the team in RBI with 64, adding a team‑high 21 home runs.
Mitch Keller (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has a 6‑6 record, 5.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.
Atlanta Braves Preview
The Atlanta Braves have a 53‑38 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the NL East. They have a 26‑20 away record and are coming off a 3‑0 road win against the Pirates. They will face the Cardinals and the Rangers next.
The Atlanta Braves have a .249 batting average this season, .314 OBP and .413 Slugging percentage. Atlanta’s pitching staff has a 3.65 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Michael Harris II is the team’s best hitter with a .307 batting average. Matt Olson leads the team in RBI with 57, adding a team‑high 24 home runs.
Bryce Elder (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, and he has a 5‑6 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
Atlanta Braves @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: July 9, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Mitch Keller Record this season: 6-6 ERA: 5.02
- Home Record: 4-4
- Last 5 against Braves: 1-2
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Braves have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against the Pirates following a win.
- The Pirates have won six of their last seven games as home underdogs against NL East opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games against the Braves following a loss.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Pirates following a win.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight home day games.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Bryce Elder Record this season: 5-6 ERA: 4.01
- Road Record: 2-4
- Last 5 against Pirates: 1-2
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won five of their last six games against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last nine home games against NL East opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against NL East opponents.
- The Braves have covered the run line in 16 of their last 18 games as road favorites against National League opponents following a win.
- The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games as favorites.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games as favorites.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Braves’ last four games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Pirates’ last six day games against NL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Braves’ last eight day games against NL Central opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last four day games between the Braves and Pirates at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games as home underdogs.
- Mitch Keller has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last seven appearances against the Braves.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last eight games as home underdogs.
- Mitch Keller has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances in day games.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.311) this season.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Bryce Elder has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Mauricio Dubon has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last nine games as favorites.
- Jorge Mateo has hit a home run in each of the Braves’ last two games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Bryce Elder has recorded a win in four of his last five road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Michael Harris is one of only four players to hit over .300 and have 45+ RBIs this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (849).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.262).
- The Braves rank 3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (693).
- The Braves rank 27th in the league for walks this season (269).
Braves vs Pirates Prediction
The Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Pirates but have lost two of their last three visits in Pittsburgh.
In this Braves vs Pirates Prediction, the Braves are coming as -115 road favorites. I don’t like either pitcher in this matchup, as they both have a combined 9+ ERA and they both have been in very bad form. Keller has given up 3+ runs in six of his last seven starts and has been even weaker at home, while Elder has given up 19 runs across his last three starts and has been even worse on the road. Both teams have top-7 offenses this season and the Pirates are the best team against righties in the month of July. Take the over 9.5 in this one.