The Atlanta Braves will be looking for a quality start from Derek Lowe on Thursday night when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Righthander Lowe (6-8, 4.49 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four trips to the mound, giving up four runs in five innings pitched in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds last time out.
View Pittsburgh vs Atlanta Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The visitors opened as +-170 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark. The total opened at 7.5 for those preferring over under wagers.
Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the National League No. 3-ranked Braves and the National League No. 12-rated Pirates in this matchup.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Atlanta's No. 9-rated National League offense, averaging 4.1 runs per game, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 5 in the National League at 3.8 in runs allowed per game. The Braves have averaged 8.2 hits per game so far, almost the same as Pirates batters have averaged on the year (8.2 hits per game).
Atlanta owns the National League's No. 3 defense, allowing 3.6 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Pittsburgh's National League No. 5-rated defense.
Last time out for Pittsburgh, they were a 2-1 loser as they battled the Braves on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Braves at -168 were rewarded, while the 3 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Pittsburgh lost in extra innings against the Braves on Wednesday as Atlanta edged them 2-1 at Turner Field.
Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
Atlanta Braves Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few Pirates at Braves trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Atlanta is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Next up:
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, Friday, July 29
Atlanta home to Florida, Friday, July 29
