Braves vs Pirates Picks & Odds (Aug 22)

• The Braves are -200 road favorites over the Pirates on Monday night
• Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.15) is scheduled to pitch for Atlanta against Roansy Contreras (3-3, 4.02)
• The Braves vs Pirates odds and matchup can be found below with a prediction

One of the National League’s best teams plays one of its worst when the Atlanta Braves visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:05 p.m. ET Monday at PNC Park to open a three-game series.

The Braves (75-48/33-24) had their three-game winning streak end Sunday with a 5-4 loss to the visiting Houston Astros and lost for just the second time in their last 13 games. The Pirates (47-74/26-33 home) fell to the Cincinnati Reds 9-5 on Sunday at home and have lost back-to-back games and eight of their last 10.

The Braves hold the first NL wild card and are in second place in the NL East, four games behind the New Yok Mets.

Braves vs Pirates Odds

Odds as of August 21st at Barstool Sportsbook.

The Braves are -200 favorites, giving them an implied win probability of 66.67%. In the World Series odds, the Braves are listed at +900 and the Pirates at an astronomical +200000.

There is a 60% chance of showers or thunderstorms at the scheduled starting time. The weather forecast also calls for 75 degrees at first pitch with a low of 64, partly cloudy skies with calm winds.

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Atlanta vs Pittsburgh Probable Pitchers

Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.15) is scheduled to start for the Braves against rookie Roansy Contreras (3-3, 4.02). Both will be pitching on four days of rest.

Odorizzi vs Contreras

Odorizzi has struggled since the Braves acquired him in a trade with the Houston Astros, going 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA. He is 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA in his past six starts overall.

His most recent rotation turn was a loss to the New York Mets last Wednesday in Atlanta. He was touched for five runs on eight hits in five innings while walking two and striking out two.

What was Jake Odorizzi thinking?! 😭#ForTheA #LGM #Braves #Mets #MLB pic.twitter.com/uSrZ6GZ0GT

— Brian (@byysports) August 18, 2022

This will be just Odorizzi’s third career start against the Pirates, and he is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA. He had a no-decision in his lone outing at PNC Park in 2018, yielding three runs in 4.1 innings.

On the road this season, Odorizzi has a 2-3 record and 4.05 ERA. He is 2-4 with a 5.31 ERA in nine starts in night games. The Braves are 1-2 in his three starts.

Contreras returned to the major leagues last Wednesday and lost to the Boston Red Sox at home. He had spent five weeks at Triple-A Indianapolis so the Pirates could manage his innings pitched – and, likely, service time.

The Red Sox scored four runs off Contreras in six innings. He gave up six hits, walked four and struck out three.

Contreras’ lone start against the Braves came June 10. He lost while surrendering four runs (three earned) over 4.2 innings.

You could say that Roansy Contreras is nasty. pic.twitter.com/DVZJmBk0DJ

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 23, 2021

In six games (five starts) at home this season, Contreras is 2-2 with a 4.10 ERA. He has a 2-3 mark at night and 5.23 ERA in eight games (six starts). The Pirates are 4-6 when Contreras starts.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Hitters on the Braves’ active roster are a combined 7 for 17 (.412) against Contreras, who has +25000 NL Rookie of the Year odds. The Pirates’ Ben Gamel has gone 4 for 6 with a double off Odorizzi.

Braves vs Pirates Betting Trends

Matt Olson went 2 for 3 with a two-run home run and walk but it wasn’t enough to keep the Braves from losing to the Astros on Sunday. The first baseman’s 62 RBIs since June 1 are the most in the NL.

Mighty Matt 💪#ForTheA | @mattolson21 pic.twitter.com/4em66zUu0M

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 21, 2022

Rookie Vaughn Grissom also had two hits.

Braves designated hitter Eddie Rosario did not start because of hamstring soreness but did pinch hit. He will likely return to the lineup Monday.

Kevin Newman, Gamel and Rodolfo Castro each had two hits for the Pirates in their loss to the Reds on Sunday. Tucupita Marcano drove in a pair of runs

This is second time the teams will meet this season after the Braves swept a four-game series in June in Atlanta. Dansby Swanson led the Braves by going 7 for 16 (.438) with a double and a home run while the Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds went 10 for 15 (.667) with a double and two homers.

BRYAN REYNOLDS IS HIM!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/M4R9ps9ULx

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 19, 2022

The Braves are 18-6 against the Pirates since 2018.

ATL vs PIT Last 10 Games

Braves vs Pirates Prediction

Contreras hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but the rookie has talent. So, partially backing Contreras and partially fading Odorizzi, let’s go with the Pirates at attractive underdog odds.

Pick: Pirates ML (+170)