Atlanta Braves (Max Fried) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates ( Chase De Jong)

The Pirates won last night (2-0) for the first time in seven games. I don’t expect this will become a trend. The Pirates are the worst in the league in runs-scored and they have done little to help that stat, scoring a total of 10 earned runs in this period.

Pittsburgh starter Chase De Jong has not fared well this season. He is 0-3, and averaging only 4-5 innings per start. His ERA in June was an eye-popping 6.46. He really struggles against right hand batters.

The Braves are 4-1, winning in ten innings last night. Max Fried is on the hill. After a dismal April, Fried has returned to his All-Star form. He was 3-2, in June and has only given up 7 ER in four starts.

You want run support? Atlanta has scored 29 runs in Fried’s last two starts!

Bullpen success for the two teams has been night and day. The Braves' pen stumbled a little last night but has been very good the previous 7. Pirates’ pen was good last night but absolutely brutal the previous seven. Imagine the Pirates pen if Richard Rodriguez is traded at the deadline..

The wager

I can see nothing that doesn’t suggest a Braves win. Take Atlanta to win -1 1/2.