MLB Preview

Pittsburgh Pirates (40-48) at Atlanta Braves (47-42)

Friday, 7:35 pm Eastern – TBS

Opening Line: Braves -148, Total 8 flat

The Atlanta Braves will try and keep their momentum going as they open up a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.  The Braves won nine of their last 13 games heading into the break and ended the first half just two games behind the New York Mets in the National League East. "As long as we stay healthy and are able to put our nine guys out there everyday, I think we've got a pretty good chance of winning," All-Star catcher Brian McCann said, "I know we're going to swing the bats better in the second half. Our pitching has been awesome all year."

The Braves are just 22-21 at Turner Field this season. They turn to Tim Hudson (8-5, 3.54 ERA) on Friday.  Hudson was shelled for six runs and 10 hits in three innings in his last start. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It was a bad night for me, but the guys really did a great job picking me up and scoring some runs," he said. Hudson is 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA in six career starts against the Pirates.

The Atlanta Braves are -148 favorites with a total of 8

Pittsburgh starts the second half having won nine of 13. "If we can get a few guys hot and the way our pitching is going, it should be a fun second half," left fielder Jason Bay said. "The last couple of weeks have been very encouraging," manager Jim Tracy said. "The pitching will get better. The offense has been better. When you're pitching with a three- or four-run lead, instead of living on the edge with every pitch you throw, you will be better."

The Pirates go with Ian Snell (7-5, 2.93) on Friday.  Snell is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four career appearances, including three starts, against the Braves. He allowed two runs in seven innings against them earlier this year.

The Pirates are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Pirates are 5-1 in their last 6 overall. The Pirates are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. the National League East. The Pirates are 3-9 in their last 12 road games. The Pirates are 3-10 in their last 13 games as a road underdog. The Pirates are 4-0 in Snell's last 4 starts vs. the National League East. The Pirates are 5-1 in Snell's last 6 starts. The Pirates are 7-22 in the last 29 meetings in Atlanta.

The Braves are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a favorite. The Braves are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. The Braves are 21-8 in their last 29 games as a home favorite. The Braves are 8-2 in Hudson's last 10 starts vs. the National League Central. The Braves are 7-3 in Hudson's last 10 starts as a home favorite. The Braves are 0-4 in Hudson's last 4 starts vs. the Pirates.

The Over is 5-2 in the Pirates last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 5-2 in Snell's last 7 starts overall. The Over is 6-0 in the Braves last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 10-1 in the Braves last 11 overall. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Braves last 9 vs. the National League Central. The Over is 5-0 in Hudson's last 5 starts vs. the National League Central. The Over is 13-5 in Hudson's last 18 starts as a home favorite. The Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Atlanta.