Friday is another opportunity for Braves right-hander Ian Anderson.

Anderson is coming off one of the better starts in his young career, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Brewers. He threw a career-high 110 pitches. On Friday, he’ll face the Pirates, a rebuilding team without much of an offensive punch - though it didn’t look that way Thursday, when they defeated the Braves, 6-4, in extra innings.

A noteworthy discovery from MLB statistician Sarah Langs (SlangsOnSports): Anderson faced Milwaukee’s Brett Anderson in his last start and will face Pittsburgh’s Tyler Anderson Thursday. It will be the first time in the modern era that a pitcher faces different pitchers with the same last name as him in back-to-back starts. That’s a lot of Andersons.

The Braves’ Anderson has allowed one or no runs in four of his eight starts entering Thursday. This is a prime chance for him to string together strong starts and perhaps pitch deeper into a game. His team could use a gem, too, after losing for the fourth time in five games. The Braves are 20-24 overall with a 10-14 mark at Truist Park, which is the worst home record in the National League.

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Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim throws to first for the groundout hit by Chicago Cubs third base Matt Shaw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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