The Pittsburgh Pirates will head west to Target Field to face the Minnesota Twins. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports North will broadcast this interleague matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Minnesota (+110) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-120). Bettors can gamble on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over 8.5 runs and even money (+100) for under 8.5. Runline odds sit at +125 for taking the Pirates -1.5 runs and -145 for the Twins +1.5.
The Pirates have gone 61-58 SU this year and are 57-62 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, gaining 2.6 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 8.3 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 54-63 SU and 63-54 ATS. The team has lost 10.1 units for moneyline bettors while earning 6.0 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Minnesota games have a 55-59-3 over/under record in 2018. The Pirates have an over/under record of 57-54-8.
Jameson Taillon will get the start for Pittsburgh. The right-handed Taillon is 9-8 with a 3.63 ERA and 119 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA against Minnesota this year.
The Twins are putting the ball in the hands of righty Jake Odorizzi (4-7, 4.50 ERA), who’s got 120 strikeouts and 49 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.41. Odorizzi is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 6.23 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7.17 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.20, along with a WHIP of 1.31 and a K/9 of 9.60.
Pirates hitters have slashed .255/.322/.416 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte continue to lead Pittsburgh’s hitters. Dickerson is hitting .305/.337/.488 with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 52 runs scored. Marte has a .277 average with 17 homers, 57 RBIs, 63 runs and 28 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 4.33 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.67 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
The Minnesota hitters have produced 4.4 runs per contest, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .228/.267/.353 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar have led the Twins’ hitters this year. Rosario is hitting .296/.337/.495 with 20 home runs, 67 RBIs and 74 runs scored, while Escobar’s line is .274/.338/.514 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 45 runs.
The Pirates have gained 8.4 units and are 43-41 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 35 of those games, as opposed to 42 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 7.5 units and are 44-40 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 39 which went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last seven outings.
Minnesota has posted 20.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.2 over its last five.
The Pirates have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
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