posted April 2, 2008 at 17:59 in MLB Articles
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves, (0-2), have said all spring that they are legitimate contenders to win the NL East crown this season, but the Braves have looked nothing like champions in dropping their first two games of the regular season, losing to the Washington Nationals on the road 3-2 in the BetUS Sportsbook in their season opener on Sunday before following that up with a dismal 12-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, (1-0) in 12 innings in their season opener in Atlanta on Monday.
The Pirates enter tonight’s matchup looking for their second consecutive win in manager John Russell’s first season at the helm as the Pirates seek to avoid making history this season by recording 16 consecutive losing seasons, joining the 1933-1948 Philadelphia Phillies.
The Pirates blew a 9-4 ninth-inning lead, and nearly blew a three-run lead in the 12th-inning.
"It was a little bit of a roller-coaster ride," Russell told the Pirates' official Web site. "It's baseball. Funny things happen."
"We showed a lot of character," Braves starting pitcher Tom Glavine said. "If you're going to beat us, you've got to battle us to the last out. But there's no question that other parts of the game were pretty ugly. We need to shore that up."
The Pirates will start young Tom Gorzelanny who led the Pirates in wins, going 14-10 last season in 32 starts, striking out 135 batters and walking 68 while composing a 3.88 ERA.
"I'd like to build on what I did last season, but I also understand baseball enough to know that you can't count on anything," said Gorzelanny.
Atlanta may be starting their best pitcher in youngster Jair Jurrjens who went 3-1 last season in seven starts for the Detroit Tigers. Jurrjens struck out 13 batters and walked 11 while recording a 4.70 ERA but is making his first National League star.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my MLB Wagering Free Picks:
Key Pirates Trends
The Pirates are 5-0 in their last five games following an off day.
The Pirates are 4-1 in their last five vs. National League East.
The Pirates are 7-3 in their last ten road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400.
Key Braves Trends
The Braves are 4-0 in their last four home games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Braves are 4-1 in their last five games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Braves are 20-6 in their last 26 games following an off day.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 6-1 in Pirates last seven games following an off day.
The Over is 5-1 in Pirates last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400.
The Over is 5-1-1 in Pirates last seven road games.
The Under is 4-0 in Braves last four during game two of a series.
The Under is 5-1 in Braves last six after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 13-3-1 in Braves last 17 after allowing five runs or more in their previous game.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Atlanta.
The Pirates are 20-42 in the last 62 meetings.
Analysis: While Gorzelanny gives the Pirates an excellent chance at winning this contest, I have watched Jurrjens this spring and fully believe he is going to win at least 15 games for the Braves this season, starting with a commanding performance tonight. Take the Braves to bounce back from their 0-2 start with a big win tonight.
MLB Free Picks: Braves 5 Pirates 3
07:10 PM EST MLB Odds
Tom Gorzelanny - L +1½ -200
Jair Jurrjens - R -1½ +170
Over 9½ -105
Under 9½ -115
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