In the second of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (69-47) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (58-59) at PNC Park, Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.19 ERA) and Chase Anderson (5-5, 4.31 ERA) get the ball. The Diamondbacks won the last game 4-1 and Arizona leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 18 and will air on FSAZ and RTPT.
In his most recent outing, Liriano pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out five and walking four in a 10-5 victory over the Cardinals. Pedro Alvarez (.252, 46 Rs, 19 HRs, 59 RBIs, 2 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Diamondbacks were unsuccessful the last time Anderson pitched. He struggled, going 5.0 innings, giving up five runs and striking out five in a 7-6 loss to the Phillies. David Peralta (.306, 47 Rs, 12 HRs, 64 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Pittsburgh is a heavy -215 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Pirates perform well as a favorite with a 53-26 record and have an overall money line of +1,545. They are 8-2 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 6.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.3. The Pirates are an exceptional hitting team with 9.1 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the NL. Turning to the pitching staff, they have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.2 strikeouts per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Diamondbacks come into this game with a win percentage of .486 when playing as the underdog (34-36) and an overall money line of +99. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-1 record and 5-5 SU. The Diamondbacks have racked up 102 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league.
The Pirates are 3-1 against the Diamondbacks this season. The Pirates will take on a right-hander (Anderson) in this game and have a 56-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Diamondbacks will be the left-hander Liriano. They sport a 12-15 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Pirates are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Diamondbacks have an 18-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 12-38. The Pirates have a 16-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Pittsburgh has hit 99 this season. Arizona ranks 18th with 105 home runs.
Pittsburgh and Arizona both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Pittsburgh sits at fourth with 9.07 hits per game and Arizona ranks second with 9.25.
Ranking 13th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.718). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .737.
The Diamondbacks are 29-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Pirates are 30-29 when they allow at least one homer.
