It’s the opening game of a three-game weekend series between National League foes on the diamond in the Steel City as the Atlanta Braves travel to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. We have you covered with our Braves vs. Pirates prediction. Atlanta closed a four-game series at home against Cincinnati Thursday night: they fell 4-3 in the third game of the set Wednesday night. Pittsburgh was swept on the road by St. Louis, falling 5-0 in the finale Wednesday in their previous game. This article was published before the conclusion of the Braves’ series finale at home against the Reds on Thursday night. Last season, the teams split six meetings, with the Braves taking two of three at home in the most recent series on June 28-30, 2024. Read more about this Braves vs. Pirates prediction! Winning isn’t easy so you need the top MLB cappers.
I've hit more than 155 parlays in the last several months, totaling over $142,834 in that span. That includes 109 in the last 36 weeks totaling $74,245 and 17 since March 31 paying out a cool $7,444! Looking for my Premium Picks? Don't miss out on another big payday! Click here to get a month of my parlays for only $50 (normally $100)!
Braves Fighting to Gain Ground in NL East
Atlanta took three of four at home as they rallied past the Reds in the finale of the set Thursday night. The Braves entered Friday 18-19 and stood third in the NL East, 5.5 games behind the Mets for the top spot. Against Cincinnati, Atlanta racked up 10 hits with Michael Harris II (two RBI) leading the way with three while Marcell Ozuna added a pair in the contest. The Braves were four of 13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base in the game. Spencer Schwellenbach threw six innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts, but didn’t factor in the decision. Scott Blewett (2-0) earned the win as he threw two scoreless frames, allowing no hits with one walk and one strikeout, in relief.
AJ Smith-Shawver is on the bump here as he logs his sixth start of the season for the Braves. He is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, 13 walks and 27 strikeouts over 27 innings of work on the year. Smith-Shawver picked up the win in his last start, which came Monday at home against the Reds. He threw eight scoreless frames, allowing one hit with four walks and five strikeouts in a game the Braves won 4-0. In his last three starts, Smith-Shawver is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA, a 0.982 WHIP, seven walks and 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings of work. Smith-Shawver, in his 13th career major league appearance, and 12th start, pitches against the Pirates for the first time here. As a result, this marks his first career outing at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Looking to Find Some Positive Momentum
Pittsburgh dropped their seventh straight and their 10th in the last 11 games as they were blanked by St. Louis on the road in the finale of their three-game set Wednesday. The Pirates entered Friday 12-26 and were entrenched in the basement of the NL Central, 10 games behind the Cubs for the top spot. Against St. Louis Wednesday, Pittsburgh finished with four hits with no player having more than one, with all of them singles. The Pirates went zero for four with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base in the contest. Mitch Keller (1-4) took the loss as he allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts over six innings of work.
Andrew Heaney is on the hill for the Pirates as he makes his eighth start of the season in the middle game of this set. He is 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA, a 1.109 WHIP, 13 walks and 34 strikeouts over 39.2 innings of work this season. Heaney took the loss in his last start, which came against the Padres on Sunday. He threw 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with four walks and three strikeouts in a 4-0 Pirates loss. In his last three starts, Heaney is 1-2 with a 5.02 ERA, a 1.465 WHIP, seven walks and 14 strikeouts over 14.1 innings of work. Heaney makes his third career start against the Braves in this contest. He has no record with a 5.00 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, three walks and 10 strikeouts over nine innings of work against them. Heaney is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA, a 1.456 WHIP, 10 walks and 17 strikeouts over 22.2 innings of work in four career starts at PNC Park.
Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Smith-Shawver has been sharp in his last two outings, including stifling the Reds Monday night in their previous contest. The Braves have momentum with four wins in their last five games entering Friday night, which works in their favor. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has stunk up the place and nothing has gone right for the team this season. Even with good pitching, a weak lineup that too often comes up empty in clutch situations turns well-pitched contests into losses. It’s tough to get excited about Pittsburgh at any point, given their lack of offensive production. Take the Braves here as they come away with a road victory.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Atlanta entered Friday night having stayed under the total in 18 of their 37 games, with three pushes, on the season. The Braves are tied for 18th in the majors with 4.03 runs per game, a number that falls to 3.79 runs per game on the road. Atlanta has an average total of 8.08 runs per game and that number climbs slightly to 8.26 runs per game on the road this season. Pittsburgh has seen the under post a 20-16-2 mark on the year heading into Thursday’s action. The Pirates are tied for 29th in the majors with 3.11 runs per game and that number climbs to 3.47 runs per game at PNC Park. Pittsburgh has an average total of 7.71 runs per game but that number climbs to 8.36 runs per game at home. With both pitchers faring relatively well and the Pirates anemic offensively, take the under in this contest.
Want a second opinion on this pick?
For another opinion on this game, check out Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
