Whoa, daddy! The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves haven\u2019t played a meaningful game against each other since the 1992 NLCS. <\/p>\n
Bet On Baseball<\/a> \u2013 White Sox vs Indians Gambling Prediction<\/strong> Pittsburgh Pirates (53-47 through July 25)<\/strong> Even if Carlos \u201cdon\u2019t trade me to Pittsburgh\u201d Beltran disagrees, the Pirates are playing important baseball now. <\/p>\n Through Monday\u2019s action, they still held a half-game lead over St. Louis in the National League Central.<\/p>\n While the Pirates remain offensively challenged \u2013 enough to recall Pedro Alvarez from Triple-A \u2013 their pitching continues to surprise. Paul Maholm has been one of those surprises. While his strikeout rate leaves plenty to be desired and his walk rate is up, opponents are still having a tough time hitting his stuff. <\/p>\n His .244 opponents\u2019 average is a massive improvement over his .303 mark in 2010 and .290 in 2009.<\/p>\n Maholm has always handled the Braves well, posting a 1.64 ERA over five starts. However, it\u2019s worth noting that he has just one win in nine road starts this season.<\/p>\n Atlanta Braves (59-44 through July 25)<\/strong> The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for the playoff stretch run and rounding into form…sort of. \u00a0Despite his awful season, Dan Uggla has 18 homers and a 15-game hit streak. Brian McCann has been baseball\u2019s top offensive catcher this season. Tommy Hanson continues to mow down hitters. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n But not everything is going right in Hotlanta. Jason Heyward still hasn\u2019t found himself, batting .182 since the All-Star break. And Jair Jurrjens\u2019 phenomenal season has gone off the rails over his last two starts. He\u2019s lasted a combined 11 innings and allowed 10 earned runs, watching his ERA jump from 1.87 to 2.44.<\/p>\n Under is 10-4-1 in PIT last 15 road games. I\u2019m legitimately worried about Jair Jurrjens, simply because he\u2019s pitched so far over his head this year and should continue coming back to Earth. <\/p>\n However, I still think Atlanta can handle Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Jurrjens loves home cooking, going 7-1 with a 2.52 ERA over nine starts at Turner Field this season. <\/p>\n Coupling that stat with Maholm\u2019s road struggles, an Atlanta win makes sense, even if Jurrjens doesn\u2019t throw a gem.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Wednesday, July 27, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Turner Field, Atlanta, GA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>ROOT, SPSO
\nPittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves Betting Lines from JustBet.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Braves -171<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7<\/strong>
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\nPaul Maholm (6-10, 3.26)<\/p>\n
\nJair Jurrjens (12-3, 2.44)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nUnder is 5-2-1 in PIT last 8 overall.
\nUnder is 5-2-1 in PIT last 8 on grass.
\nOver is 5-1-2 in ATL last 8 home games.
\nATL are 13-3 in their last 16 home games.
\nUnder is 6-2-1 in ATL last 9 Wed. games.
\nPIT are 12-32 in the last 44 meetings in Atlanta.
\nUnder is 35-15-3 in the last 53 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n