Date: September 27, 2025
Time: 7:15 PM EST
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Moneyline: Pirates +139, Braves -170
Pitching Matchup: Bubba Chandler (RHP) vs. Spencer Strider (RHP)
The Pittsburgh Pirates (70-90) travel to Atlanta to face the Braves (75-85) in the second game of their series, featuring a pitching matchup that heavily favors the home team on paper.
The Braves will send their ace, Spencer Strider, to the mound. After ramping up his rehab from an injury back in May, Strider has been a force for Atlanta. Known for his elite velocity and league-leading strikeout numbers, Strider gives the Braves a chance to win every time he takes the ball. Against a Pirates team that is well under .500, Strider will be looking for a dominant performance to close out the season.
The Pirates will counter with rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler. It’s a tall task for the young pitcher, who will face a formidable, albeit recently depleted, Braves lineup in a hostile environment. This start will serve as a major test and a valuable experience for Chandler as the Pirates evaluate their young talent for the future.
Team Analysis & Injury Report
It has been a disappointing season for the Atlanta Braves, who find themselves well below the .500 mark with just a few games remaining. Their struggles were compounded this week by a significant injury. According to recent reports, star second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, an injury that has ended his season. His absence leaves a major hole in the lineup and on defense. While the team has dealt with injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. earlier in the year, the loss of Albies for the final stretch is a demoralizing blow.
The Pittsburgh Pirates enter this matchup in a familiar rebuilding mode, looking to finish the season on a positive note. With a record of 70-90, the organization has focused on developing its young players, and this series against a team like the Braves provides a tough measuring stick. While the Pirates have navigated their own share of injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, they come into this game with a focus on seeing what players like Chandler can do against top-tier competition.
Prediction
The moneyline tells the story of this game. Despite the Braves’ sub-.500 record and the critical loss of Ozzie Albies, the pitching matchup is too lopsided to ignore. Spencer Strider is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, and he is facing a struggling Pirates team starting a rookie.
While the Pirates at +139 might offer some value for bettors banking on an upset, the most likely scenario is Strider controlling the game from the start. The Braves’ offense may not need to put up a huge number to secure a victory with their ace on the hill.
Prediction: Braves win.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves Moneyline (-170)
Sources:
Pittsburgh Pirates Injury Report and Status 2025 – CBSSports.com
Pittsburgh Pirates Injury Status – ESPN
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