In the third of a four-game series between the Miami Marlins (51-75) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (75-49) at Marlins Park, Chris Narveson (1-0, 3.86 ERA) and Jeff Locke (6-8, 4.56 ERA) get the ball. The Marlins won the last game 5-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and will air on FSFL and RTPT.
In his most recent outing, Narveson pitched 0.2 inning, giving up one run and striking out one in a 2-0 loss to the Phillies. Justin Bour (.256, 26 Rs, 12 HRs, 41 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and two RBIs. The Pirates were unsuccessful to the Giants 6-4 the last time Locke pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing six runs, striking out two and walking one. Andrew McCutchen (.299, 72 Rs, 19 HRs, 81 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Pirates, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Miami, a +143 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Pittsburgh. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). The Marlins have a losing record of 28-48 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -2,324. The Marlins are a dangerous hitting team with an MLB-best 297 extra base hits. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in all of baseball with 94 steals.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Pirates come into this game with a solid win percentage of .686 when playing as the favorite (59-27) and an overall money line of +1,845. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 8-2 SU and have played well as the favorite with a 6-1 record. The Pirates are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.16 ERA this season.
The Pirates are 4-1 against the Marlins this season. The Marlins will take on a left-hander (Locke) in this game and have a 10-16 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Pirates will be the left-hander Narveson. They sport a 13-10 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
The Marlins are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Pirates have a 7-12 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Marlins are 10-48. The Pirates have a 17-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Miami ranks 29th with 90 homers and Pittsburgh is 21st with 107.
Ranking eighth, Miami is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.58 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at fourth with 9.10.
Ranking 29th, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.685). Pittsburgh ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .722.
When the Pirates allow at least one home run, they are 30-30. When the Marlins allow one or more homers, they have a 23-46 record.
