The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates will square off in the series finale on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at PNC Park, concluding what has been a lopsided series thus far as the Braves aim to complete the sweep and inch closer to a .500 record. Entering Sunday’s contest, Atlanta sits at 18-20 and has struggled to find the level of consistency that defined their dominant 2023 campaign, yet the recent matchup against Pittsburgh has provided glimpses of a potential turnaround. The Braves have leaned on the veteran presence of Chris Sale, who will start in the finale and brings a 1-3 record with a 4.07 ERA. Sale has had flashes of his former dominance but is still searching for sustained control and efficiency, especially against lineups that tend to attack early in counts. Opposing him will be Carmen Mlodzinski of the Pirates, who has struggled mightily with a 6.16 ERA and 1-3 record, leaving Pittsburgh in desperate need of a quality start from a rotation that has lacked depth and durability. Offensively, the Braves continue to rely on their powerful core, headlined by Matt Olson and Austin Riley. Olson’s bat remains a threat in the heart of the lineup, while Riley enters the game batting .296 with six homers and 16 RBIs, offering the kind of reliable production that can jumpstart rallies and shift momentum quickly. The Braves have not lived up to betting expectations this season, sitting at just 6-17 against the spread, but their ability to outslug struggling teams like the Pirates still makes them a dangerous matchup.

The Pirates, sitting at 13-26, have now dropped several games in a row and are firmly planted at the bottom of the NL Central, plagued by injuries, an underperforming rotation, and an offense that cannot consistently support its pitchers. The few bright spots include shortstop Oneil Cruz and outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who have kept the Pirates competitive at times but have also seen their efforts erased by a bullpen that falters under pressure and a lineup that struggles with runners in scoring position. Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage has offered little edge this season, and Mlodzinski will need to execute with precision to keep Atlanta from jumping out early and forcing the Pirates to play catch-up again. From a strategy standpoint, the Braves will likely look to be aggressive early in counts, aiming to knock Mlodzinski out of rhythm and get into Pittsburgh’s shaky bullpen by the middle innings. Defensively, Atlanta’s infield remains one of the most reliable in the National League, and if Sale can limit walks and avoid the big inning, the Braves should have every opportunity to control the tempo of the game. Sunday’s contest serves as a crucial checkpoint for Atlanta, a team still working to reestablish its identity after an uneven start, while for the Pirates, it’s a chance to snap a skid and recapture some dignity before hitting the road. For both teams, the outcome won’t define the season, but it could shape the next few weeks in dramatically different ways depending on who capitalizes when it matters most.