Opinion
4 min read

Braves Aim to Chart New Course Against Pirates in Pittsburgh Showdown

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, a critical analysis of their recent performances suggests an intriguing battle ahead. The Braves, despite their commendable efforts in past games, have shown areas that could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this upcoming game.


Sep 10, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (48) pitching the against Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

In their last encounter against the San Diego Padres on May 18, 2024, the Braves' performance was less than stellar. With only 7 hits leading to a single run throughout the game, their batting lineup struggled against Padres' pitchers. Their overall hitting average stood at .212 with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .278 and a slugging percentage (SLG) of .273. These numbers reflect a team struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly evident with only 1 hit out of 5 attempts with runners in scoring position (RISP). Moreover, despite not committing any errors and showcasing solid fielding skills with a perfect fielding percentage (FPCT), they couldn't convert these defensive efforts into offensive momentum.


Comparatively, during another recent game against the Chicago Cubs on May 16 and May 15 respectively, similar patterns emerged. On May 16th's game where they faced defeat again by scoring only once off of 8 hits and committing an error which might have cost them dearly considering they lost by a significant margin. Their performance slightly improved in terms of batting average (.235) but still lacked efficiency when it mattered most - converting those hits into runs.


Sep 10, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) looks over a scouting report for a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

However, it wasn't all gloom for ATL; their shining moment came during another match-up against the Cubs where they turned around their fortunes dramatically by securing a victory with 7 runs from just as many hits on May 15th. This particular game showcased what ATL is capable of when their bats connect effectively - highlighted by two home runs contributing significantly to their total run tally.


The inconsistency in ATL's performance puts them at an interesting juncture as they head into Pittsburgh. The key for ATL lies within igniting its batting lineup early and capitalizing on RISP opportunities which have been missed chances in recent outings. Additionally, maintaining strong defensive plays without committing errors will be crucial given how tight games can get based solely on fielding mistakes.


Sep 10, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Brad Hand (45) pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side stands PIT who will look to exploit any vulnerabilities shown by ATL’s pitchers and batters alike while defending home turf advantageously at PNC Park.


With this backdrop set for what promises to be an engaging contest between two teams looking to assert dominance over each other; fans are eagerly anticipating how these dynamics will unfold come game day.


Scheduled for May 24th at PNC Park located in Pittsburgh PA under what is expected to be clear skies; fans can catch all live action broadcasted exclusively through SportsNet PT starting from approximately around half-past six PM Eastern Time Zone – setting up perfectly for baseball enthusiasts looking forward towards ending their day witnessing some high-quality baseball action unfold right before them.

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