Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Prediction 8-9-23 MLB Picks
The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates clash Wednesday in game 2 of an MLB series at PNC Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Braves look for another win after winning 7 of their last 11 games. The Braves have a 10-game lead in the NL East. The Braves pitching staff is 9th in ERA (3.89), 16th in WHIP (1.28) and 14th in quality starts (40). The Braves' offense is 3rd in runs per game (5.68), 2nd in batting average (.272) and 1st in homers (213). Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 150 hits and 68 RBI, while Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies have combined for 232 hits and 147 RBI. Max Fried gets the ball, and he is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 33 strikeouts this season. Fried is 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA and 25 strikeouts in his career against the Pirates.
Atlanta Braves Team Facts
- The Braves have lost four of their last five games as road favourites against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as road favourites against National League opponents following a road win.
- The Braves have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four games as favourites against NL Central opponents.
- The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games as favourites against National League opponents.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Ronald Acuna Jr. ranks 1st in the league in Steals (53) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pirates look to play spoiler after winning 7 of their last 12 games. The Pirates are 7.5 games back in the wild card race. The Pirates pitching staff is 21st in ERA (4.51), 24th in WHIP (1.38) and 12th in quality starts (42). The Pirates' offense is 24th in runs per game (4.14), 25th in batting average (.235) and 25th in homers (109). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 100 hits and 53 RBI, while Andrew McCutchen and Ke'Bryan Hayes have combined for 156 hits and 63 RBI. Quinn Priester gets the ball, and he is 2-1 with a 8.69 ERA and 16 strikeouts this season. This will be Priester’s first career game against the Braves.
Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts
- The Pirates have lost each of their last nine games against the Braves following a loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games following a loss.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six Wednesday games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 7 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last three Wednesday night games as underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 28th in the league for hits this season (881).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 26th in the league for batting average this season (.236).
- The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for home runs this season (215).
- The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for slugging percentage this season (.499).
Randy’s Pick
The Braves are not only comfortably the better team, but they're throwing out Max Fried, who has a 1.69 ERA through 32 innings with 33 strikeouts. He hasn't missed a beat despite the short sample size. The Pirates continue to come up small on the offensive side and Quinn Priester has allowed 21 hits, 19 runs and 14 walks in 19.2 innings. The Braves' offense that's the best in baseball should have fun with this pitching matchup. There's no other option for me here. Give me the Braves and the RL for max betting value.
