The Pittsburgh Pirates will play host to their divisional rival Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. The matchup gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can catch it on ATPT and FSOH.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Pittsburgh (+150) is the underdog against Cincinnati (-170) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 8 runs (-120 for the under and +100 for the over). You can also bet on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at +125 for the Reds +1.5 runs and -135 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 6-1 SU and 4-2 ATS. They’ve gained 3.9 units for moneyline bettors and 3.0 units against the spread (ATS). The Reds have gone 1-5 SU this year and are 2-3 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 2.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and 1.9 units ATS.
Pirates games have a 4-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Cincinnati has an over/under record of 2-3.
The Reds have lost 0.7 units and are 1-2 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in one of those games, as opposed to two that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 2.9 units and are 3-2 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under.
Right-hander Sal Romano (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Reds. Romano started 16 games last year while finishing the season 5-8 overall with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He made three starts against the Pirates in 2017 and compiled a 1-2 record against them with a 2.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Pirates are going with righty Chad Kuhl (1-0, 6.35 ERA) as their starter. Kuhl recorded 142 strikeouts over 157 innings last year (31 starts). Kuhl finished the season 8-11 overall with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He recorded two starts against the Reds a year ago and assembled a 1-1 record with a 3.09 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 4.6 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 3.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. In two games against divisional opponents, Pirates starters have an ERA of 2.61 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.35.
The Pittsburgh offense is putting up 7.0 runs per outing, including 7.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .280/.383/.482 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Right fielder Gregory Polanco and second baseman Josh Harrison have led the Pirates’ batters this year. Polanco is slashing .280/.441/.680 with seven hits, 11 RBIs and seven runs scored, while Harrison is batting .344 with 11 hits, four RBIs and 10 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Cincinnati’s pitching staff allowed 6.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.96 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 6.34 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 9.31, along with a K/9 of 7.91.
Reds hitters have slashed .244/.321/.363 on their way to 3.0 runs scored per game in 2018.
Cincinnati’s offensive production been led by Scott Schebler and Phil Gosselin. Schebler is slashing .333/.385/.667 with four hits, one RBI and three runs scored, while Gosselin (.400/.500/.1000) is up to two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Pirates went 6-13 SU against the Reds in 2017.
The Pirates’ bullpen managed 3.19 ERA against the Reds last year.
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