The Atlanta Braves continue their road trip in Pittsburgh for Game 2 of this series as they look to continue their winning ways after taking two of three in their series with the Chicago Cubs when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in this Saturday afternoon matchup at PNC Park. So let's check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Braves-Pirates prediction and pick.

Braves are sitting in second place in the NL East behind the top team in the Majors the Philadelphia Phillies. While the Braves were just 5-5 coming into the first game of this series against the Pirates they also won three out of their last four heading to Pittsburgh. The Braves will look to continue their winning ways and cut into their deficit behind the Phillies in the standings when they take on the Pirates on the road in this Saturday afternoon matchup.

Pirates have been struggling lately with losses in back-to-back games against the San Francisco Giants as they came into the first game of this series with the visiting Atlanta Braves. It's been their bullpen that's been their downfall in recent games after rookie pitcher Paul Skenes pitched a gem just giving up 1 ER in 6 strong innings only to lose the game 7-6 due to the bullpen imploding. Things don't get any easier when Reynaldo Lopez and the Atlanta Braves come to play in this Saturday afternoon matchup at home at PNC Park as the Pirates look to get back on track.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Braves-Pirates Odds

Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (-102)

Moneyline: -164

Pittsburgh Pirates: +1.5 (-118)

Moneyline: +138

Over: 8.5 (-115)

Under: 8.5 (-105)

How to Watch Braves vs. Pirates

Time: 4:05 PM ET/1:05 PM PT

TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, Bally Sports Southeast, MLB Extra Innings

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Braves Will Cover The Spread/Win

In the upcoming Saturday showdown, the Atlanta Braves, led by Reynaldo López, are set to face Mitch Keller and the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road.

López's 2024 season has been impressive, showcasing a stellar ERA of 1.54 and a WHIP of 1.07, indicating his ability to limit opponent scoring and base runners. His performance against the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched 5.0 innings, allowing no runs and striking out four two games ago, is a testament to his dominance on the mound.

On the other side, Mitch Keller has shown vulnerability, with an ERA of 3.84 and a WHIP of 1.28. Despite a decent strikeout count, Keller's higher ERA and WHIP suggest that he allows more hits and runs than López, which could be detrimental when facing the Braves' potent lineup. Keller's performance has been inconsistent, as seen in his game against the Milwaukee Brewers, where he allowed four earned runs over 5.0 innings.

The Braves' offense, ranked 6th in batting average against right-handed pitching, is poised to exploit any inconsistency from Keller. With hitters like Marcell Ozuna and Ronald Acuña Jr. leading the charge, the Braves have the firepower to support López's pitching with ample run support.

Given Reynaldo López's superior pitching stats and the Braves' offensive prowess, they hold a significant edge over Mitch Keller and the Pirates in the upcoming game. The Braves' combination of elite pitching and powerful hitting makes them the favorites to emerge victorious on the road this Saturday.

Why The Pirates Will Cover The Spread/Win

In the highly anticipated Saturday matchup at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by Mitch Keller, are poised to take on Reynaldo López and the Atlanta Braves. This game is not just another regular-season encounter; it's a battle of pitching prowess that could very well tilt in favor of the home team, the Pirates.

Mitch Keller, the Pirates' ace, has shown remarkable improvement and consistency in his recent outings. With a 3-1 record and an ERA of 2.90 in his last 5 games, Keller has demonstrated his ability to dominate on the mound, especially at PNC Park. His performance against formidable teams like the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and Milwaukee Brewers in his last three games, where he allowed just three combined runs even pitching a complete game against the Angels and securing wins in all three games, underscores his capability to handle pressure and deliver when it counts.

On the other side, Reynaldo López of the Braves, despite having an impressive season with a 1.54 ERA and 44 strikeouts, faces a challenging task. The Pirates' lineup, known for its resilience and ability to rally, could pose significant challenges for López. The Pirates have shown they can compete with the best, as evidenced by their strong start to the season and Keller's recent performances.

The Pirates' home advantage at PNC Park cannot be underestimated. With a supportive crowd behind them and Keller's proven track record at home, the Pirates have the momentum and the strategic advantage. Considering Mitch Keller's exceptional form, the Pirates' fighting spirit, and the home-field advantage, the Pittsburgh Pirates are well-positioned to secure a victory against Reynaldo López and the Atlanta Braves this Saturday.

Final Braves-Pirates Prediction & Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping that Mitch Keller can pitch deep into this game because the Pirates bullpen has failed them time and time again in recent games. The only drawback is that Keller will need to outduel Reynaldo Lopez who's been near-perfect this season. Expect this game to be a real pitcher's duel that should be low-scoring and come down to the final innings where the Braves bats should be able to do enough to get the win on the road in PNC Park.

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Final Braves-Pirates Prediction & Pick: Atlanta Braves (-164), Under 8.5 Runs (-105)