We have even 16 games on the MLB schedule for Tuesday, August 23, and this National League duel is one of them, so make sure you take a look at the best Braves vs. Pirates betting pick and odds.

Atlanta and Pittsburgh will play the second of a three-game series at PNC Park, and the Braves are massive -275 moneyline favorites on BetDSI Sportsbook, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. These National League rivals have met five times this season, and the Braves won all of the games.

Braves edged the Pirates in a low-scoring affair

The Atlanta Braves are now three wins away from the top spot in the NL East and New York Mets after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in the opening game of a three-game series. It wasn’t easy, though, but the visitors made it thanks to a strong showing from starter Jake Odorizzi and the bullpen.

Atlanta had only four hits opposite Pittsburgh’s five, but Jake Odorizzi (5-5) controlled the Pirates as he surrendered just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over 6.0 innings. It was his best display since he joined the Braves. Kenley Jansen got his 29th save of the season, while Michael Harris’ two-run homer in the 5th was enough for the Braves to secure a win.

Max Fried (11-4) will be on the mound for the 24th time this year when he takes on the Pirates on Tuesday. The 28-year-old southpaw will carry a rock-solid 2.60 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 133/25 K/BB ratio over 145.1 innings.

Pirates weren’t lucky in a tight loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates are perhaps one of the weakest teams in the MLB, but they showed they can play shoulder to shoulder with contenders. They didn’t have luck in the opening game of the series against the defending World Series champions Atlanta Braves and lost 2-1 at home.

It was Pittsburgh’s third consecutive defeat. The Pirates couldn’t do much against Atlanta’s pitchers and didn’t have a single individual with a multi-hit game. O’Neil Cruz was the only one to score as he blasted a solo homer in the 5th inning. Roansy Contreras (3-4) took a loss after allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 7.0 innings.

JT Brubaker (3-10) will get his 24th start of the season and is coming out of his best performance of the year against the Boston Red Sox. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.19 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 124/46 K/BB ratio in 120.1 innings of work.

Trends:

Atlanta:

  • 7-0 in the last seven road games
  • 4-0 in the last four road games vs. a right-handed starter
  • 4-0 in the last four road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5
  • 6-1 in the last seven after allowing two runs or less in their previous game

Pittsburgh:

  • 8-20 in the last 28 vs. National League East rivals
  • 0-5 in the last five home games vs. a left-handed starter
  • 7-21 in the last 28 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5

Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Pick  

The Pirates are struggling against southpaws of late, especially at home, and Max Fried should have an easy game on Tuesday. Fried was great in his previous start against Pittsburgh when he allowed only one run across 6.0 innings for a 1.50 ERA and a win. Bryan Reynolds is the one who can cause him problems, but Fried should have no real issues with other batters. JT Brubaker, on the other hand, should be aware of Austin Riley, who blasted two home runs and has five RBIs in just six at-bats against him.

Pick: Take the Braves -1.5 Run Line at -140

The Total

Pittsburgh has one of the weakest offenses in the MLB and therefore, a lot of their games tend to be low-scoring. That was the case in Game 1 of this series, and I expect to see a similar outcome on Tuesday. Under is 4-1 in the last five H2H meetings, Under is 18-7-1 in the Braves’ previous 26 vs. National League Central rivals, while Under is 15-7-3 in the Pirates’ last 25 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Pick: Go Under 8.5 runs at -130