Atlanta's win streak is now over and the Braves with a 12-2 record 9-1 Last 10 travel to PNC Park tonight to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tha Braves Starting Pitching Staff accumulated a 1.83 ERA during the win streak but Teheran remains a mystery to how he will perform in the long run. Teheran is 7.36 ERA this season and in his last outing gave up four runs in the first two innings. After that however Teheran settled in and had limited baserunners from that point foward. Locke is 1-1 4.09 ERA and last season when facing Atlanta at PNC Park he only gave up one run and two hits over six innings. Overall Pittsburgh is 7-7 6-4 Last 10 winning one and six of last eight. The Bucko's won two of three at PNC Park last season in this matchup and also the Season Series four to three. Justin Upton has a MLB best 8 HR's but is 3 for 26 last eight vs. Pittsburgh and has never faced Locke. The Pirates might have a good opportunity to scratch out some early inning runs off the questionable Teheran but will have to provide solid defense on the back end backing up Locke in hopes of dealing Atlanta it's first road lose. Source: CBS And ESPN MLB Preview.
Teheran is making his 10th MLB appearance and only his 7th Major League Start. In 11 combined Innings Pitched this season Teheran has given up 14 hits nine runs and four BB's with only eight K's. Locke is making his 15th MLB appearance and his 12th start. Locke will need to improve on the 3/5 K BB ratio and 1.55 WHIP he brings into tonight. Think Pittsburgh in a good situational matchup vs Teheran but same might could be said of Atlanta vs. Locke with Locke's K to BB ratio. I know I am not sold on Teheran but Locke might struggle with the walks again.
Pittsburgh does have success vs. Atlanta at PNC but with both young pitchers starting tonight with Upton and McCutchen in the equation their night may have its low points. Today the focus will be Over 4 First Five Innings looking for hits early and speed on the bases and a Prop Pittsburgh Scores First +125 vs. a young Teheran in road environment.
