Alex Wood (4-2, 3.19 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves (27-28) square off against Gerrit Cole (8-2, 1.90 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (30-25) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a three-game series at Turner Field. The Braves won the last game 5-4 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 7 and can be seen on ROOT-PIT and FSN-S.
Wood pitched 0.0 inning in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs in a 10-8 defeat to the Pirates. Cameron Maybin (.286, 22 Rs, 5 HRs, 26 RBIs, 9 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. Cole is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA against the Braves in his career. He takes on a quality Atlanta offense that’s batting .255. Andrew McCutchen (.294, 33 Rs, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Pittsburgh takes on Atlanta as a -138 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Braves have an overall money line of +243 and a record as the underdog of 18-23.
As for their opponent, Pittsburgh is coming in with an overall money line of +248 and an impressive record of 24-13 as the favorite. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games playing as the favorite, and have an 8-2 SU record over the same span. Offensively, the Pirates have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 5.5 during that stretch.
The Braves have a 23-24 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cole takes the mound. Wood (LHP) will be on the hill against the Pirates, who have a 3-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
Atlanta has won 34% (11-21) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Pittsburgh has won 43% (10-13) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Braves are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Pirates have a 5-8 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 4-19. The Pirates have a 4-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 37 this season. Pittsburgh ranks 19th with 48 home runs.
Atlanta and Pittsburgh both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Atlanta sits at ninth with 8.56 hits per game and Pittsburgh ranks sixth with 8.85.
Atlanta and Pittsburgh both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Atlanta sits at 20th with an OPS of .694 and Pittsburgh ranks 17th with an OPS of .701.
When the Pirates allow at least one home run, they are 9-17, well-matched with the Braves who are 9-22 when allowing at least one homer.
