In the third of a four-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-17) and the Atlanta Braves (9-29) at PNC Park, Francisco Liriano (3-2, 4.99 ERA) and Julio Teheran (0-4, 3.17 ERA) get the ball. The Pirates won the last game 12-9, and Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 18 and will air on FSSE and RTPT.
In his last start, Liriano pitched 4.2 innings, allowing eight runs, striking out seven and walking four in a 9-4 loss to the Cubs. Andrew McCutchen (.255, 26 Rs, 8 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run and two RBIs. The Braves were also unsuccessful the last time Teheran pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing two, striking out five and walking three in a 5-1 loss to the Royals. Mallex Smith (.247, 13 Rs, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and four RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Pirates come into the game with the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the NL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. The Pirates have the second-top batting average in the league at .282. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 27 steals. The most recent 10 game stretch for Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Pittsburgh’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Atlanta pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
So far this season, the Pirates are 2-0 against the Braves.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Pittsburgh is 12-10, while Atlanta is 3-11.
The Braves are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Pirates have a record of 8-5 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 2-18. The Pirates have a 2-11 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 13 this season. Pittsburgh ranks 21st with 37 home runs.
Ranking 22nd, Atlanta is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.97 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 9.95.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.612). Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .797.
The Braves are 2-21 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Pirates are 12-14 when they allow at least one homer.
