In the last of a three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (8-9) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (8-9) at Chase Field, Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.58 ERA) and Francisco Liriano (0-1, 3.00 ERA) take the mound. The Pirates won the last game 2-1 and Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 26 and will air on ROOT-PIT and FSN-AZ.
In his most recent outing, Hellickson pitched 6.2 innings, allowing one run, striking out two and walking one in a 5-1 victory over the Giants. A.J. Pollock (.344, 12 Rs, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one stolen base. In his career against the Diamondbacks, Liriano is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. Pedro Alvarez (.232, 10 Rs, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Arizona, a +116 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Pittsburgh. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). The Diamondbacks are 6-6 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +183.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Pirates come into this game with a win percentage of .545 when playing as the favorite (6-5) and an overall money line of -12. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 8.6 strikeouts per game.
The previous two games have all gone Pittsburgh’s way. The right-handed Hellickson will take the mound against the Pirates, who have a 9-7 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Arizona is 5-2, while Pittsburgh is 2-4.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Diamondbacks are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Pirates have a 2-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
It looks like the Pirates have a slight leg up on the Diamondbacks, as the Pirates have won their last four games while the Diamondbacks have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 4-1. The Pirates have a 7-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Both Arizona and Pittsburgh are tied at 15th in runs, each scoring 71 this season.
Ranking 29th, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 33 this season. Arizona ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 47.
When the Diamondbacks hit at least one home run, they are 6-2. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have an 8-4 record.
