MLB Handicapping: Braves vs Pirates

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: A winning streak will be on the line for the Atlanta Braves on Saturday when they battle the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Ace righthander Derek Lowe will take the mound for the Braves to start this game. Lowe is 5-4 this season with a 5.47 ERA. It'll be Charlie Morton toeing the rubber for the Pirates in this contest. Righthander Morton is 1-7 with a 9.68 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Tim Hudson tossed a two-hit shutout through eight innings as the Braves defeated the Pirates 7-0 in the opener of a three-game series on Friday. The Braves won that game as -150 favorites, and the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks. Jason Heyward had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the Braves. Hudson improved to 5-1 with the win. Ross Ohlendorf gave up six runs off seven hits in 3 2-3 innings in the loss for the Pirates, who were +130 underdogs. Current streak: Atlanta has won 4 straight games. Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Atlanta: 22-20 SU Pittsburgh: 18-24 SU Atlanta most recently: When playing on Saturday are 6-4 Before playing Pittsburgh are 4-6 After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6 After a win are 6-4 Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Atlanta are 5-5 After playing Atlanta are 6-4 After a loss are 4-6 A few trends to consider: Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh Atlanta is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh Pittsburgh is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Atlanta Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home Next up: Pittsburgh home to Atlanta, Sunday, May 23 Rest assured for those bettors who only purchase Stevie Vincent when he has Level 5 plays, you are doing yourself a gross disservice. Flat out his Level 2, 3 and 4 plays always have and always will win at a much higher rate than Game of the Month or Game of the Year plays elsewhere. He is part of OffshoreInsiders.com