The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing host to the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Fox Sports Ohio will be televising the matchup and the game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas is listing Cincinnati (+140) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-160). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at +100 for over eight runs and -120 for under eight. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at -105 for the Reds -1.5 runs and -105 for the Pirates +1.5.
The Reds have gone 1-4 SU this year and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and 0.3 units ATS. The Pirates are 5-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. The team’s gained 2.9 units for moneyline bettors and 1.6 units ATS.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 4-1 so far in 2018. The Reds have an over/under record of 2-2.
The Pirates just took the previous game in the series by a score of 5-2.
Luis Castillo (0-1, 10.80 ERA) will get the nod for Cincinnati. The right-handed Castillo struck out 98 hitters across 89 innings last year (15 starts) while finishing the season 3-7 overall with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He made two starts against Pittsburgh in 2017 and compiled a 0-1 record against the Pirates with a 2.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
The Pirates have tabbed righty Trevor Williams (1-0, 0.00 ERA) as their starter. Williams started 25 games last year and finished the season 7-9 overall with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He recorded two starts against Cincinnati a year ago and compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.31 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 4.8 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 3.90 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.26 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 8.1 K/9. In one games against NL Central opponents, Pirates starters have an ERA of 1.80 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.25.
The Pittsburgh hitters have put up 5.8 runs per contest so far this season and the team has hit .241/.344/.424 to begin the year.
Gregory Polanco has helped lead the Pirates’ offense this season with six hits, nine RBIs and five runs scored. .
In the visiting dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 6.51 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 6.06, along with a WHIP of 1.27.
Reds hitters have slashed .220/.304/.360 on their way to 3.0 runs scored per game this year.
Cincinnati’s hitters have been led by Scooter Gennett. Gennett is hitting .429/.429/.524 with nine hits and one RBI.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Pirates went 6-13 SU against the Reds last season.
The Reds’ bullpen managed 3.53 ERA against the Pirates last year.
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