It’s another big night in the majors with the Atlanta Braves putting their five-game winning streak on the line when they face the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates in their series finale. Meanwhile, the National League wildcard leaders St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of completing their own series sweep when they host the struggling Cincinnati Reds later tonight.
Read on for our preview of these two NL ballgames and also check out our MLB Free Picks for the five best baseball games to bet on today.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Braves (+115) at Pittsburgh Pirates (-125); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
The Braves will be aiming for their second consecutive series sweep when they face the Pirates in their finale tonight as they look to continue their brilliance on offense. Atlanta has outscored the Pirates 18-6 in the first two games of the series with Justin Upton providing the firepower; he smashed his 24th homer in the 11-3 win against the Pirates last night and is hitting .382 (13-for-34) with four home runs during his current 10-game hitting streak.
[sc:MLB240banner ]For the finale, the Braves will send Alex Wood (9-9, 3.07 ERA) to the mound. Wood has been excellent in his last two outings, allowing a total of three earned runs in 13 1/3 innings of work as he recorded victories against the Washington Nationals and the Oakland Athletics, both top-caliber teams.
The Pirates, on the other hand, will give the ball to right-hander Gerrit Cole (7-4, 3.48 ERA) as they look to arrest their seven-game losing skid. Cole will be making his first start since July 4th where shortly after, he was sidelined with a sore back. However, the Pirates are confident with Gerrit as they have won seven of their last nine games with Cole as their starter.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pirates (-125) will win the series finale and avoid being swept.
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals (7:15 PM ET)
Line: Cincinnati Reds (+102) at St. Louis Cardinals (-112); total 7.0 – view all MLB lines
The Cardinals will look to complete a three-game sweep against the Cincinnati Reds and will turn the ball over to starting pitcher Lance Lynn (13-8, 2.91 ERA). Lynn has been solid in his last five outings, allowing just one earned run in four of them. He has won his last two assignments against the Orioles and the Padres, and will definitely be looking to make it three in a row later tonight.
Standing in his way though is the Cincinnati Reds. Although they have lost four games in a row, the Reds are confident going into the game with Johnny Cueto (15-6, 2.06 ERA). Cueto has been on fire in his last five outings, allowing a total of just nine earned runs in 39 innings of work as he compiled a perfect 5-0 record.
The Reds are 3-7 in their last ten away games, while the Cardinals have won eight of their last 10 home games. The Cardinals have dominated the Reds lately at Busch Stadium as well, winning four of their last five encounters there.
Writer’s Prediction
Cueto helps the Reds (+102) stop their four-game losing rut.
