Pirates vs. Braves Prediction
Is the over a safe bet to cash today with the Braves set to host the Pirates at 12:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Pirates are -132 money line favorites to beat the Braves, who have odds of +110 to pull off the upset at home today. With Ivan Nova set to face Bartolo Colon in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs, down from the original number of 9.5.
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The latest on Nova via Rotoworld: Nova surrendered three runs in 7 1/3 innings to beat the Phillies 6-3 on Saturday. He gave up a run in the first inning, then fired five shutout innings before allowing individual runs in the seventh and eighth frames. He gave up nine base hits without issuing a walk and he notched three strikeouts on the afternoon. Nova has enjoyed nothing but success since joining the Pirates mid-season last year. His record improves to 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in nine starts this year. He is not a big strikeout guy but is very stingy with the base-on-balls. He has 36 strikeouts against just four walks in 61 2/3 innings.
Colon gave up two runs — one earned — in 4 1/3 innings during a 5-2 victory over the Nationals. His team won the game but he didn’t stick around long enough to be officially credited with the win. He allowed seven hits (all singles) and no walks while striking out six and out-dueling Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer in the ballgame. It was Colon’s own throwing error that allowed the unearned run in the fifth inning. His record holds at 2-4 with a 6.38 ERA in nine starts. He has 33 strikeouts and 11 walks in 48 innings pitched.
Bet Today’s Pirates vs. Braves Game
OUR PREDICTION: The over is 10-4-1 in the Pirates’ last 15 games against the National League East. On the other side, the over is 4-1 in Colon’s last five starts, is 17-8 in the Braves’ last 25 games, and is 9-4 in their last 13 home games. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams as well, plus has cashed in seven of the last 10 meetings in Atlanta.
THURSDAY MLB PREDICTION: PIRATES/BRAVES OVER 9