Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.72 ERA) takes the hill for the Pittsburgh Pirates (30-25) as they square off against Hector Santiago (3-3, 4.96 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (25-30) in the last of a three-game series at PNC Park. The Pirates won the last game 8-7, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 5 and can be seen on FSW and RTPT.
Cole pitched 6.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 3-1 defeat to the Marlins. Starling Marte (.327, 30 Rs, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs, 18 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs and one stolen base. Santiago went 6.2 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out nine and walking two in an 11-9 win over the Tigers in his last outing. Kole Calhoun (.302, 36 Rs, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. In interleague play, the Pirates have a 20-21 record SU. The Pirates have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. The Pirates are one of the best in the MLB in terms of batting average with a phenomenal team average of .277. Pittsburgh is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 40 bases. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Pirates, who rank third in the NL in strikeouts per game with 7.1.
Los Angeles is 27-19 SU against interleague opponents. Offensively, the Angels have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Angels are tough outs for opponents, ranking fourth in the AL with 9.7 hits per road game. The Angels allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. The Angels have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 6.5 strikeouts per road game.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Los Angeles is 13-13, while Pittsburgh is 14-16.
The Angels managed to give up eight walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are heading in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Pirates are 22-7. The Angels have a 22-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th, Los Angeles sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 239 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five with 273.
Ranking 15th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 173 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 197.
The Pirates are 21-11 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Angels are 19-13 when they hit at least one homer.
