The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading south to square off against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park. The game gets going at 7:35 p.m. ET and this NL matchup will be shown on both ATPT and FSSO.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Pittsburgh (+105) as the dog to Atlanta (-115). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take either the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds coming in at Pirates +1.5 runs (-200) and Braves -1.5 runs (+170).
The Braves are 74-59 straight up (SU) and 68-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 18.4 units for moneyline bettors and 1.1 units (ATS). Atlanta has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Pirates have gone 65-69 SU this year and are 64-69 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 3.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Atlanta games have an over/under record of 61-65-5 in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 61-64-8.
Jameson Taillon is getting the start for Pittsburgh. The right-handed Taillon is 10-9 with a 3.49 ERA and 139 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Braves this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Braves are putting the ball in the hands of righty Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 3.05 ERA), who has 100 strikeouts and 32 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.08. Sanchez did not record a start against the Pirates in 2017.
As a unit, Atlanta’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.55, a WHIP of 1.22 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Atlanta offense is putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 3.7 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .289/.359/.405 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Braves’ offense has been led by first baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Nick Markakis. Freeman is slashing .311/.394/.512 with 20 home runs, 81 RBIs and 82 runs scored, and the line for Markakis stands at .308/.371/.471 with 14 homers, 83 RBIs and 71 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.30 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.98, along with a WHIP of 1.29.
Pirates hitters have slashed .253/.321/.407 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 2.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offense has been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is hitting .296/.326/.461 with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 53 runs scored, while Marte is slashing .277/.324/.456 with 17 homers, 59 RBIs, 67 runs and 29 stolen bases.
The Pirates have gained 4.6 units and are 47-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 38 of those games, as opposed to 49 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 20.7 units and are 52-41 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 42 of those games, compared to 47 that went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – UNDER
