The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and this NL matchup will be shown on both ATPT and FSFL.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Miami Marlins Odds
Miami (+145) is the underdog to Pittsburgh (-155) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this night game at 7.5 runs (-110 for the under and -110 for the over). You can also bet on the game’s runline with the odds coming in at Pirates -1.5 runs (-110) and Marlins 1.5 runs (-110).
The Pirates are 9-4 SU and have gone 8-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline in this young season and 5.0 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Marlins are 4-9 SU and 3-9 ATS. They’ve lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors and 7.2 units ATS. Miami has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Marlins games have had an over/under record of 6-6 so far in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 8-4.
The Marlins have lost 2.5 units and are 2-6 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in four of those games, compared to four that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.26 ERA) will get the nod for Pittsburgh. Taillon struck out 125 hitters across 133 innings last year (25 starts) while finishing the season 8-7 overall with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP.
The Marlins have tabbed Trevor Richards (0-1, 8.64 ERA) as their starter. Richards did not record any Major League pitching stats last season.
Miami’s pitchers have allowed 5.8 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.54, a WHIP of 1.50 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.0. The bullpen has a 4.59 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
Miami’s offense has produced 3.5 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .262/.331/.390 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Third baseman Brian Anderson and left fielder Derek Dietrich have led the Marlins’ hitters this year. Anderson is hitting .271/.407/.417 with 13 hits, nine RBIs and eight runs scored, while Dietrich’s line is .310/.375/.414 with 18 hits, four RBIs and seven runs.
Anderson enjoyed hitting against righties at home in 2017. In 40 such plate appearances, he slashed .303/.425/.455 (compared to his overall season line of .262/.337/.369).
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.11 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 6.90, along with a WHIP of 1.26 and a K/9 of 7.11.
The Pirates offense has slashed .272/.349/.468 on its way to 6.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Gregory Polanco and Corey Dickerson have led Pittsburgh’s offense. Polanco is slashing .239/.357/.652 with 11 hits, five homers, 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored, while Dickerson (.356/.396/.622) is up to 16 hits, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Miami Marlins Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.2 over its last five.
The Pirates have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
*****
