Josh Collmenter (1-2, 3.38 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (8-7) go up against Gerrit Cole (2-0, 2.65 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (8-8) in the first of a three-game series at Chase Field. The game gets underway at 9:40 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 24 and will air on ROOT-PIT and FSN-AZ.
Collmenter has a 2.70 ERA and a 0-0 record in his career against the Pirates, and faces a struggling Pittsburgh offense that’s hitting just .225 on the year. A.J. Pollock (.358, 12 Rs, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong season Wednesday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. In his career against the Diamondbacks, Cole is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and five strikeouts. Gregory Polanco (.300, 7 Rs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, two RBIs, and one stolen base.
Arizona, a +114 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Pittsburgh. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). When playing as the underdog, the Diamondbacks have a 6-5 record and overall money line at +283.
Across the field, the Pirates have a record of 5-5 when they are favored and are -221 overall with the money line.
This game will feature Cole (RHP) on the mound against the Diamondbacks, who have a 5-6 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Pirates will be the right-hander Collmenter. They sport a 7-7 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Arizona is 5-2, while Pittsburgh is 2-4.
The Diamondbacks are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded three strikeouts. The Pirates have a record of 0-2 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 1-6. The Diamondbacks have a 2-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Arizona ranks near the bottom of the league at 22nd when it comes to home runs, hitting 11 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 17.
Ranking 13th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.07 per game. Arizona ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.73.
Ranking 24th, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.649). Arizona ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .682.
The Pirates are 2-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Diamondbacks are 5-6 when they allow at least one homer.
