Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Predictions May 10th 2025

Pirates Aim to Build Momentum as Braves Send Red-Hot Rookie to the Mound

Fresh off snapping a seven-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates will look to keep the momentum going Saturday afternoon as they host the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of their weekend series. Pittsburgh took the opener 3-2 on Friday and now faces the challenge of stopping Atlanta’s emerging rookie arm, AJ Smith-Shawver.

Smith-Shawver Riding Career-Best Outing Into Saturday Start

AJ Smith-Shawver (2-2, 3.00 ERA) is coming off a near-historic performance, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning during Monday’s 4-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed just one hit over eight dominant frames, striking out five and walking four. It was a breakout moment for the 22-year-old, who has found his rhythm after a rocky start to the season.

Ready To Stay Ahead? Read The Latest Gambling News Now!

“That’s what you dream of as a kid… I’m just trying to take it all in right now.”
— AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves Pitcher

Since returning from the minors on April 29, Smith-Shawver has posted a 2-0 record with a 1.35 ERA in two starts, covering 13 1/3 innings. For a Braves team still searching for consistency on offense, having a rising arm like his is a significant asset—especially for those monitoring MLB pitcher trends and picks.

“Those are the makeup things you look for in a young guy… He’s been dealt a lot in a brief major league career.”
— Brian Snitker, Braves Manager

Heaney Looks to Bounce Back for Bucs

Veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.18 ERA) will get the ball for the Pirates. Heaney is coming off his worst outing of the season, allowing four runs and eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings in a loss to San Diego. It was his second straight rough start, after opening the season with five strong outings in which he posted a 1.72 ERA.

“I think I’ve kinda been falling behind or letting guys have free passes.”
— Andrew Heaney, Pirates Pitcher

Stop Guessing and Start Betting With Data-Driven MLB Predictions

Make Smarter Moves Today!

Join Today!

Pittsburgh is hoping Heaney can return to early-season form, especially after showing some power at the plate in Friday’s win. Alexander Canario and Jared Triolo both went deep, marking the team’s first multi-homer game since April 27.

“We’ve been scarce for runs so to see the ball go over the fence felt really good.”
— Jared Triolo, Pirates Infielder

Heaney is 0-0 with a 5.00 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta.

Transform Your Bets With Insights From The Expert Betting Guide.

Braves Looking to Spark Their Bats

The Braves were blanked through eight innings on Friday and nearly staged a ninth-inning comeback, but ultimately fell short. Their offense has been inconsistent of late, and supporting Smith-Shawver with early runs will be key if they want to avoid dropping a second straight game.

For those making MLB betting predictions, the Braves’ reliance on pitching and the Pirates’ recent struggles at the plate add intrigue to this matchup.