The Milwaukee Brewers are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Game 1 of their NL Central doubleheader. Fox Sports Net Wisconsin will broadcast the matchup and the game will get underway at 12:35 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
The Pirates are 45-49 straight up (SU) and 43-50 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 7.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.7 units (ATS). Pittsburgh has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Brewers, on the other hand, have gone 55-40 SU this year and are 50-44 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 13.8 units for moneyline bettors and 5.0 units ATS. Milwaukee has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have had an over/under record of 44-42-7 so far in 2018. The Brewers have been a decent under bet with a total record of 41-50-3.
Chase Anderson is getting the nod for the visiting Brewers. The right-handed Anderson is 6-6 with a 3.81 ERA and 77 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and an 8.44 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are putting the ball in the hands of righty Ivan Nova (5-6, 4.50 ERA), who has 76 strikeouts and 17 walks, as well as a 1.27 WHIP. Nova has yet to face the Brewers this year, but he made three starts against them in 2017, putting together a 1-2 record with a 3.79 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
Milwaukee’s pitchers have allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.92 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.81 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.17, along with a WHIP of 1.25 and a K-per-9 of 10.16.
Brewers hitters have slashed .244/.317/.410 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain continue to lead Milwaukee’s hitters. Yelich is slashing .285/.359/.452 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, 58 runs and 12 stolen bases, while Cain has a .294 average with eight homers, 27 RBIs, 50 runs and 17 stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 4.37 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.9 K/9. In 36 games against divisional opponents, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.30 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.11.
The Pittsburgh offense has put up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has hit .272/.350/.418 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates’ offense has been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is slashing .308/.343/.463 with six home runs, 35 RBIs and 38 runs scored, and Marte’s line is .284/.334/.465 with 11 homers, 41 RBIs, 49 runs and 24 stolen bases.
The Brewers have gained 14.6 units and are 42-33 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 30 of those games, compared to 42 that’ve gone under against righty starters.
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Brewers, O/U – OVER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
Milwaukee has recorded 14 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Pittsburgh has 15 XBH over its last five.
The Brewers have lost four of their last five games SU while the Pirates have won five of their last six.
The Milwaukee defense has allowed 12 errors over the last 10 games, compared to two errors for Pittsburgh over its last 10.
The Brewers have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit six over their last 10.
+++++
