The MLB betting action goes on Sunday, June 12, 2022, when Pittsburgh and Atlanta lock horns in the four-game series finale at Truist Park, so we bring you the best Pirates vs. Braves betting pick and odds. 

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, the Braves are heavy -250 home favorites with a total of 8.5 runs, while the Pirates sit at +200 moneyline odds. Atlanta has won the first two contests of this set, 3-1 and 4-2, while Game 3 has been excluded from the analysis.  

The Bucs are slumping at the plate                                

The 24-32 Pittsburgh Pirates rode a four-game losing streak following a 4-2 defeat at Truist Park in Atlanta this past Friday. The Bucs scored both runs in the eighth inning and finished with eight hits on the night, while Roansy Contreras yielded four runs (three earned) across 4.2 frames of work. 

Pittsburgh has accounted for 26 runs through its first eight games in June (3-5 record). The Pirates have slashed only .229/.287/.357 with eight home runs and nine doubles in 258 at-bats. At least, their pitching staff has done a good job, posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. 

Jose Quintana (1-3, seven starts) will toe the slab in the closing game of the Braves series, carrying a 3.19 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, and 46/19 K/BB ratio in 53.2 innings of work this season. The veteran lefty has registered a 5.40 ERA and 2.12 FIP over his previous four starts (0-2 record). He took a loss last Tuesday, yielding four earned runs on seven hits across 3.1 innings in a 5-3 defeat to the Detroit Tigers. 

The Braves have been on a tear since June 1                                 

The 32-27 Atlanta Braves aimed for their tenth straight victory in Game 3 of this series. They’ve gone 9-0 through the first ten days of June, scoring 59 runs in the process while slashing an excellent .292/.345/.524 with 15 homers and 28 extra-base hits in 332 at-bats. 

On the pitching side of things, the Braves have compiled a shiny 2.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and .207 batting average against. Their 4.23 strikeout-to-walk rate is the second-best in the majors this month. 

Kyle Wright will take the mound Sunday, searching for his third straight win in June. He’s tossed 14 innings over his previous two starts, yielding only a couple of runs on eight hits and five walks while striking out 12. The 26-year-old righty holds a pristine 2.39 ERA, 2.75 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP in 11 starts (67.2 innings) this season. 

Trends:

Pittsburgh: 

  • 2-5 in the last seven games overall 
  • 3-10 in the last 13 games against Atlanta   

Atlanta:

  • 13-4 in the last 17 games overall 
  • 8-2 in the last ten games overall  

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Pick 

Jose Quintana’s BABIP of .448 in his last four starts is ridiculous. He’s been pretty unlucky and will try to right the ship in this one against the Braves, who own a 15-6 record against the left-handed starting pitchers in 2022. 

The current Braves lineup has 19 hits in 73 at-bats against Quintana. Ozzie Albies is 5-for-6 with a couple of doubles and home runs, while Marcell Ozuna is 7-for-14 with a homer and five RBIs. If Kyle Walker keeps walks under control, the Braves should come out on top and beat the runline. 

Pick: Take Atlanta Braves -1.5 at -115                            

The Total:

The Pirates and Braves have combined for just ten runs through the first two games of the series. At the time of writing, the Pirates had a surprising 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth of Game 3. I lean toward the under in the series finale, but you never know with this Braves offense.  

Atlanta’s bullpen is sporting a sparkling 1.84 ERA and 2.11 FIP in June, while the Pirates ‘pen is carrying a 2.10 ERA and 3.57 FIP. Jose Quintana might struggle against the Braves, who could easily shut down the Pirates’ offense. 

Pick: Go under 8.5 runs at +100