Jeff Locke (1-3, 5.45 ERA) and Mike Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.89 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-18) and the Atlanta Braves (10-29) at PNC Park. The Braves won the last game 3-1, and Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 19 and can be seen on FSSE and RTPT.
Locke pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs, striking out three and walking two in an 8-2 defeat to the Cubs. Gregory Polanco (.305, 28 Rs, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Foltynewicz went 8.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out four in a 5-0 win over the Royals in his most recent start. Mallex Smith (.247, 13 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
The odds for Pittsburgh and Atlanta are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Pirates have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the NL in offense with 0.0 runs per game. The Pirates are one of the best in the MLB in terms of batting average with an impressive team average of .280. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Braves have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Braves allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Pirates lead the season series, 2-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Pirates are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Braves have a 5-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 2-18. The Pirates have a 2-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 14 this season. Pittsburgh ranks 20th with 38 home runs.
Ranking 23rd, Atlanta is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 8.03 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 9.85.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.617). Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .792.
When the Braves allow at least one home run, they are 3-21. When the Pirates allow one or more homers, they have a 12-15 record.
