The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Wednesday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs Braves Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs Braves Pick.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Atlanta Braves are 52-38 on the year and play the Cardinals next. The Atlanta Braves are batting. 249 on the season and have a .314 OBP and a .413 slugging percentage. The Atlanta Braves’ pitching staff has a 3.65 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Michael Harris II leads the Atlanta Braves with 96 hits and 53 RBI, while Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson have combined for 191 hits and 107 RBI.
Grant Holmes gets the ball for the Atlanta Braves, and he is 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA and 71 strikeouts this season. This will be Holmes’ second career game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 47-45 on the year and play the Brewers next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .263 on the season and have a .342 OBP and a .424 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.27 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 101 hits and 41 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn and Bryan Reynolds have combined for 179 hits and 117 RBIs.
Jared Jones gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 1-1 with a 5.28 ERA and 31 strikeouts this season. This will be Jones’ first career game against the Atlanta Braves.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Braves have lost each of their last seven road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have won each of their last seven home games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in eight of their last nine home games against the Braves.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home games against opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last five games as favorites against NL East opponents following a home win.
- The Braves have won eight of their last 10 games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
- The Braves have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against NL East opponents following a home win.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Pirates’ last eight night games against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Braves’ last four games has gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in five of the Pirates’ last six home games.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in five of the Braves’ last six games at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four home games.
- Jared Jones has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances with the Pirates as home favorites.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.314) this season.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Ozzie Albies has hit a home run in two of the Braves’ last three games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Mauricio Dubon has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last 15 games as road underdogs.
- 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 (845).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for RBIs this season (467).
- The Braves rank 27th in the league for walks this season (269).
- The Braves are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both home runs and batting average this season.
Pirates vs Braves Prediction
I’m not thrilled to get behind Jones and his 5.28 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but the Pirates are at home and playing better baseball. Holmes has been the better pitcher through a larger sample size, but the Braves have won just 7 games since June 9. The Braves were once running away with the NL East, but have allowed the Phillies and Marlins to get back in the race. Because of the struggles as a team, I’m going to side with the Pirates at home and at the low price.