Pittsburgh Pirates vs
Atlanta BravesPredictions & Preview

Braves' Max Fried to face off against Pirates' Paul Skenes in anticipated pitching matchup at Truist Park

This Saturday promises an exciting lineup of baseball games, with a notable pitching matchup between Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. Skenes boasts an impressive ERA of 2.14, while Fried has an ERA of 3. The Braves are favored to win, opening at -150 with the current line at Atlanta -147. Be sure to tune in for what is sure to be an intense game starting at 4:10 ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +132 | Braves -147
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-163) | Braves -1.5 (+144)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Atlanta will win straight-up is 60%.

Pittsburgh vs Atlanta Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have exceeded expectations this season by remaining in the playoff race despite a record of 39-42. Following a recent loss to the Braves, they are now sitting 2.5 games out of the Wild Card. Oddsmakers are not fully convinced of their postseason chances, pricing them at +500 to make the playoffs. The team has struggled on offense, with a lackluster performance in the recent loss, and pitcher Martin Perez had a rough outing. However, bright spot Paul Skenes has been a standout player with a 4-0 record and is a favorite for N.L. Rookie of the Year. The Pirates rank 22nd in offense, 19th in defense, and have a power ranking of 23.

Atlanta Braves Analysis

Despite dealing with injuries to key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr., the Atlanta Braves have still managed to maintain a strong second-place position in the N.L. East with a 45-35 record. They also hold the top spot in the Wild Card race. Recently, the Braves secured a 6-1 victory with standout performances from Marcell Ozuna and Charlie Morton. Max Fried has notably improved throughout the season, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The Braves rank 15th in offense, averaging 4.35 runs per game, and 4th in defense, allowing only 3.73 runs per game. Despite a recent 2-1 series loss to Pittsburgh, the Braves continue to show strength and determination on the field.

Atlanta Braves Favored Over Pittsburgh Pirates in Matchup Against Max Fried

I am inclined to support the Atlanta Braves over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the upcoming game against Max Fried due to their recent strong performance. The Braves have demonstrated a solid record of 10-5 SU in their last 15 games and have shown improvement in their offense, ranking 14th in Fangraphs' wRC+ and 13th in wOBA over the past two weeks. Additionally, Atlanta has a favorable home record of 25-13 at Truist Park this season. Considering the Braves' consistent performance and their ace pitcher facing Pittsburgh, I believe they are the superior team and a suitable choice on the money line for this game.

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