Sportsbook Promos
Pirates vs Braves Prediction & Best Bets (6/29): Saturday Spotlight Shines on Skenes vs Fried Showdown in Atlanta
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Updated:
Read Time: 5 minutes
mlb
Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+1.5
-130
9
+101u
+156
Atlanta Braves Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-1.5
+115
9
+105o
-165
Boost Your Winnings Now!
Claim 50% Match Up To $1,000
+ $10 Free Cash Bonus
(use promo code BNEWS)
Exclusive BetOnline Offer - Limited Time
See Picks & Statistics For The GameToday’s MLB slate features several notable pitching matchups, but there’s one that stands out above the rest. That one is in Atlanta, where Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates will matchup with Max Fried and the Braves in the second game of their three-game series at Truist Park.
Last night, 6.1 shutout innings by Charlie Morton and a five-run third inning led the Braves (45-35) to a 6-1 win. Morton allowed only three hits and one walk and struck out seven to help Atlanta return to the win column after consecutive losses to the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.
Today, the Pirates (39-42) will look to even up the series with Skenes on the bump for his ninth MLB start. Just over a year since his final collegiate start for LSU, Skenes is a -250 favorite for NL Rookie of the Year despite only making his big-league debut on May 11.
With arguably the best southpaw in the show on the mound to counter , Atlanta’s bats may well not need to manufacture much to secure the series win.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Odds
These Pirates vs Braves odds are as of Monday, June 17. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on Major League Baseball.
Moneyline
- Pittsburgh Pirates +125
- Atlanta Braves -136
Over/Under
- Over 7.5 (-102)
- Under 7.5 (-118)
Run Line
- Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-180)
- Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+160)
Today’s Pitching Matchup for Pirates vs Braves
- Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes (8 starts, 4-0, 2.14 ERA, 46.1 IP, 61 K/8 BB, 0.99 WHIP, .222 OBA)
- Atlanta Braves: LHP Max Fried (15 starts, 7-3, 3.00 ERA, 90 IP, 80 K/27 BB, 1.07 WHIP, .211 OBA)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Betting Analysis and Trends
Last time out, the Pirates lost for just the second time in a Skenes start. Against the Tampa Bay Rays last Sunday, Skenes went seven strong innings, allowing six hits, one walk, and one run and striking out eight. His day ended with the game tied at 1, but the Rays went on to win 3-1 thanks to two runs in the eighth.
Today, Skenes gets to go up against an Atlanta lineup that continues to blow hot and cold. After scoring six runs in the opener of their doubleheader with the Cardinals on Wednesday, they proceeded to score just one run in 18 innings in losing the second game of the twin bill and falling to the White Sox on Thursday.
Last night, they were blanked in their final five at-bats, but the damage they did in the third proved to be enough to back up Morton’s magic.
For the season, Atlanta is 25-13 (.658) in games following a win, which is eighth in MLB. Most recently, however, they are 7-2 (.778) in their last nine games following a win. So, some success is happening even though the bats are still trying to get going.
Even though they have to deal with the challenge of facing Skenes for the first time, this looks like a favorable spot to back the Braves at better odds compared to many of their home games.
They are 11-4 in Fried’s starts this season, including 4-1 at home. The lone blemish came against the San Diego Padres on May 17. In that game, Fried blanked the Friars for four innings then ran into some trouble in the fifth in a 3-1 loss.
If things go as they have gone in most of Fried’s starts, not only will the Braves win, but the under will likely hit. Why? There were at least nine combined runs in each of his first four starts, but in his last 11 starts, there have been seven or fewer runs nine times.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Prediction & Best Bets
Prediction for Pirates vs Braves: Braves to win
Best Bets for Pirates vs Braves: Braves ML & Pirates/Braves under 7.5
More MLB Betting Information
How to Bet on Major League Baseball in 2024
There are many ways to bet on Major League Baseball. As with the NFL, NBA, and NHL, the main ways are moneyline and spread betting, as well as over/under betting.
Futures bets (like Cy Young odds) and prop bets (like strikeout props and batting props) are also one of the most popular ways to bet on the action on the diamond.
Where to Bet on MLB
Many top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of MLB odds throughout the season.
In addition to being able to make daily MLB picks on games from Opening Day until the final game of the Fall Classic, you can also bet on MLB MVP odds, Cy Young Award odds, and MLB Rookie of the Year odds, as well as World Series odds.
There are many sportsbooks out there that are good for betting on baseball, but here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:
- BetDSI (Review)
- BetOnline (Review)
- BetUS (Review)
- Bovada (Review)
- Everygame (Review)
- MyBookie (Review)
If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.
Interested in Learning More About Betting on Baseball?
Are you new to baseball betting or want to get more acquainted with some of the ins and outs of placing MLB bets, check out our MLB betting guide.
Did you enjoy this Pirates vs Braves betting breakdown? Bookmark Betting News so you don’t miss any of our daily MLB content. Also, check out our MLB picks and insights and other social content on X (formerly known as Twitter), Twitch, and TikTok.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.
More MLB News on Betting News
Free Betting Picks