In the first of a two-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-20) and the Minnesota Twins (18-20) at PNC Park, Francisco Liriano (1-3, 2.96 ERA) and Ricky Nolasco (3-1, 6.38 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 19 and will air on FSN-N and ROOT-PIT.
Liriano is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Twins in his career, but faces a solid Minnesota offense that’s hitting .260 on the year. Starling Marte (.296, 20 Rs, 8 HRs, 26 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Pirates, Nolasco is 5-4 with a 2.48 ERA, 58 strikeouts and 15 walks. Brian Dozier (.264, 29 Rs, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 Sunday with two runs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Pirates have a 1-2 record SU against the AL. Pittsburgh has averaged 1.7 runs per game during interleague play, lower than its season average of 3.8. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the NL with an average of only 6.1 strikeouts per home game. Whenever an American League opponent shows up on the calendar, the Pirates pitch better. They allow an average of 3.5 runs per game, but allow just 2.3 against teams from the AL. An area where the Pirates are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.3 K’s per game.
Against interleague competitors, the Twins are 21-17 SU. They also allow just 2.5 walks per game, good for second in the AL.
This game will feature Nolasco (RHP) on the mound against the Pirates, who have a 17-16 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the left-hander Liriano. Southpaw starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport an 11-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Minnesota is 4-6, while Pittsburgh is 5-8.
The Pirates managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Twins who are coming in with a 5-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 3-16. The Pirates have a 4-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Pittsburgh ranks 21st with 30 homers and Minnesota is 26th with 27.
Ranking 11th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.18 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.82.
Pittsburgh and Minnesota both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Pittsburgh sits at 27th with an OPS of .666 and Minnesota ranks 21st with an OPS of .698.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 11-13. When the Pirates allow one or more homers, they have a 5-12 record.
