Getting a four-game away slate underway, the Pittsburgh Pirates migrate south to Georgia to take on the Atlanta Braves Thursday night. This marks the first time these two clubs have crossed paths this season.
The Pirates (24-30) have been an unpredictable bunch in 2022, providing a bit of a mixed bag of results. Recently, Pittsburgh swept the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on the road and then took two of three from Arizona at home. Their last two times out, the Buccos lost two-run ballgames to Detroit.
Atlanta (30-27) has won eight of 10 bouts, including its last seven. They recorded sweeps at Colorado and against Oakland. The Braves trail the New York Mets – the NL’s winningest squad – by seven games in their grouping.
Right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has been on a bit of a tear lately, hitting .409 in his last 22 at-bats. He has one home run, a pair of doubles, and four RBIs over the last seven days.
At the dish, he’s followed by third baseman Austin Riley, left fielder William Contreras, right fielder Michael Harris II, and shortstop Dansby Swanson – all of whom have averaged north of the .300 threshold during this past week.
Riley has a team-high 15 dingers – which is tied for the fifth-most in the majors – and has added 34 RBIs. First baseman Matt Olson has a .362 on-base percentage.
In all, the Braves’ order is enjoying a wave of success that could bleed over and help against a Pittsburgh pitching staff with the sixth-worst ERA in the bigs.
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
MLB odds have the Braves getting off to a good start with this bill. Atlanta is -1.5 on the run line at -132, while the Pirates are +110 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Braves are -270 and Pittsburgh a +220 underdog. The total has been set at 8.5 runs, with the over being -102 and the under -120 at the time of this writing.
Looking at MLB betting trends, the pair you would expect to be at the forefront of the Pirates’ offense is doing exactly that. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes leads the lineup with a .285 batting average and 20 RBIs. Left fielder Bryan Reynolds has clubbed eight homers.
If you’re looking for consistent knocks, Pittsburgh isn’t the place. Only three MLB teams have a lower collective average than their .224 mark. Reynolds still isn’t where he’d like to be with his showing at the plate, but the All-Star has shown to be able to get it together in the past.
Matchup Information
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Righty JT Brubaker will get the start for the guests. He hasn’t had the greatest luck thus far, posting an 0-5 record and a 4.70 ERA. Last Friday’s performance against Arizona didn’t do all that much to help. In four innings, he gave up eight hits and six runs – five of which were earned.
After allowing two home runs in total during the month of May, Brubaker watched three go over the fence in that tilt with the Diamondbacks.
Southpaw Max Fried is slated to start on the mound opposite him. His 2.74 ERA is among the best in the MLB, and he has a 5-2 record.
The Braves have gotten good enough stuff from him to win his last three starts. He pitched an eight-inning two-hitter at Colorado last Friday.
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions
With how Atlanta’s bats are doing at the moment, combined with the fact that they’re going up against a hurler who hasn’t yet gotten it figured out, things bode well for the Braves.
Expect them to get another good performance from Fried, who has gone at least six frames in all but two starts in 2022.
With these MLB picks today, the host Braves will take the first of these teams’ slate. Get to betting on baseball and go with Atlanta to easily cover this game’s spread.
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