Play: Money Line: -106 Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park will be the site of today’s National League battle between the host Pittsburgh Pirates and the visiting Atlanta Braves. The Pirates will be looking to sweep the three-game series from the slumping Atlanta Braves and if they do it will be the first time in 15 years they have accomplished that feat. The Pirates have seen a dramatic improvement in their starting pitching we realize it’s early in the season but they lead the NL with a combined ERA of 2.63 after having the worst ERA in the majors last season with a 5.08. Pittsburgh will send left-hander Zach Duke to the bump with his 2-0 record and 0.59 ERA on the season. The left-hander allowed three runs, one earned in 6 1-3 innings of a 7 to 4 win over St. Louis on April 8, then threw a four-hitter in a 7 to 0 victory over Houston on Monday. Duke, who didn't win his second game until his eighth start in 2008, struck out five and walked two against the Astros. Duke was 5-14 last season with an ERA of 4.82 but he has looked great to start the 2009 campaign. Although he struggled last season he went 1-0 against the Braves posting an ERA of 1.54 in his two trips to the bump versus Atlanta. In five career starts against Atlanta he is 3-2 (teams record) with a 2.75 ERA. Atlanta will send Javier Vazquez to the hill with his 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA this season, the right-hander is 0-1 in three career starts at PNC Park with an ERA of 7.56. MLB Teams are 52-34 W/L (+1230) if playing at home and it’s the final game of a series. Play ON MLB NL teams when the money line is +125 to -125 with a team that averages <=4.1 runs per game against a team with a bullpen ERA>=5.00, starting a pitcher who is working on 5 or 6 days rest, 70-26 W/L (72.9%) for +47.4 units. Play the host as they get the sweep over the Braves on Sunday and cash the winning ticket.


Graded Selection: 2* Pittsburgh Pirates 5 Atlanta Braves 4