Gerrit Cole (14-6, 2.48 ERA) takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (69-46) as they meet Jeremy Hellickson (8-8, 4.73 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (57-59) in the first of a three-game series at PNC Park. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 17 and will air on FSAZ and RTPT.
In his last start, Cole pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking two in a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals. Jung Ho Kang (.288, 43 Rs, 9 HRs, 40 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 6 yesterday. The Diamondbacks were victorious the last time Hellickson pitched. He pitched well, going 8.0 innings, allowing zero runs (one unearned) and striking out six in a 13-1 victory over the Phillies. David Peralta (.304, 46 Rs, 12 HRs, 63 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Pittsburgh is a considerable -210 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Pirates have a winning record of 53-26 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +1,392. They are 7-3 SU and perfect as the favorite (2-0) in their last 10 games. Over their past 10 games, Pittsburgh’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.4 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.2. The Pirates are an exceptional hitting team with 9.0 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the NL. As for the pitching staff, an area where the Pirates are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.1 K’s per game.
Across the field, the Diamondbacks have a record of 34-36 when they are the underdog and are +213 overall with the money line. During the last 10 games, they averaged 6.3 runs per game, above their 4.6 season average. One of the top hitting teams in the NL are the Diamondbacks, who average 9.3 hits per game. Arizona is a terror on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB with 102 stolen bases.
So far this season, the Pirates are 3-0 against the Diamondbacks. This game will feature Hellickson (RHP) on the mound against the Pirates, who have a 55-37 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Diamondbacks will be the right-hander Cole. They sport a 45-43 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Arizona is 21-17, while Pittsburgh is 23-25.
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 19-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks are 40-15. The Pirates have a 48-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 14th in runs, Pittsburgh has earned 491 this season. Arizona ranks third with 525 runs.
Ranking 21st, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 306 this season. Arizona ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 355.
The Pirates are 45-22 when they hit at least one home run. The Diamondbacks perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 39-22 record.
