Pirates at Braves Prediction - MLB Picks 9/9/23

Atlanta Braves (92-48) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (65-76)

Game Info: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:20 pm (Truist Park)

Dylan Dodd (2-1) (7.40) vs Johan Oviedo (8-14) (4.27)

Betting Odds: Atlanta Braves -267 / Pittsburgh Pirates +215 --- Over/Under: 9.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Atlanta Braves will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for game two of their weekend series this Saturday from Truist Park.

Pirates Preview & Projected Starter

Pittsburgh comes in at 65-76 after falling to Atlanta. The Pirates were outmatched last night, and they’ll attempt to show more fight Saturday. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .235, with a .320 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.50 ERA, with a 1.38 WHIP.

Johan Oviedo (8-14, 4.27 ERA, 136 Ks) will get the ball for Pittsburgh. The fourth-year righty returned from the break and tossed a gem against San Francisco, tying a season-high ten strikeouts in seven full innings pitched, but he somehow wasn’t rewarded with a winning decision. That’s been a sad, recurring theme for Oviedo this season, who’s either been dealt a loss or no decision despite pitching well multiple times this season. Qawwalss Oviedo’s last trip to the LA area didn’t go particularly well, as he gave up five runs in 6.2 innings to the Dodgers in his start to close the first half, and he’ll seek better results here.

Pirates Player Trends & Props

Bryan Reynolds has totaled multiple bases in seven of the previous ten games, and he’s first on the team in hits (125), with splits of .265/19/65.

Ke’Bryan Hayes has produced a run in four straight games, and he’s batting .268, with 52 RBI for the season.

Andrew McCutchen plated a run in the game one victory, and he’s posting a line of .247/12/40.

Jack Suwinski snapped a long homeless streak by going yard in the game three win, and he leads the club in home runs (22), with 56 RBI.

Braves Preview & Projected Starter

Atlanta moved to 92-48 after defeating Pittsburgh. The Braves avoided another game one loss by coming out strong, and they’ll look to take control of the series Saturday. The Atlanta offense is scoring 3.83 runs per game, while batting .270, with a .339 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.67 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP.

Dylan Dodd (2-1, 7.40 ERA, 12 Ks) will start for Atlanta. The rookie pitcher will return to the rotation and make his first appearance since late June here. Dodd allowed three runs or more in his final four starts, and he’ll look to show improvement here Saturday.

Braves Player Trends & Props

Ronald Acuna Jr. is leading Atlanta in batting (.335) and hits (174), with 29 HR and 79 RBI.

Matt Olson has totaled multiple bases in four straight games, and he leads the NL in home runs (43) and RBI (112).

Austin Riley homered in Monday’s win, and he’s posting splits of .274/31/81.

Marcell Ozuna has plated a run in six of the last seven games, and he’s posting a line of .265/29/71.

Corey’s Free Pick

Atlanta came out and handled business, and there’s a very good chance they do the same here on Saturday. The Pirates hold an advantage on the mound, but the Braves should be able to find production off of Johan Oviedo, and protect Dylan Dodd in the process. There’s potential in the Over here, but let’s back the Braves to execute here in game two.