J.A. Happ (4-7, 4.64 ERA) and Robbie Ray (3-8, 3.29 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (70-47) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (58-60) at PNC Park. The Pirates won the last game 9-8 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and can be seen on FSAZ and RTPT.
Happ pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out seven and walking one in a 3-2 defeat to the Mets. Andrew McCutchen (.293, 68 Rs, 18 HRs, 78 RBIs, 6 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 6 with one RBI. Ray went 4.1 innings, surrendering three runs and walking four in a 3-2 defeat to the Braves in his most recent start. Paul Goldschmidt (.333, 75 Rs, 22 HRs, 88 RBIs, 19 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs.
Pittsburgh is a -143 favorite against Arizona and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Pirates have recorded an overall money line of +1,345 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 53-27. The Pirates have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.6 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.2 runs per game. The Pirates are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 9.1 per game. Turning to the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Pirates, who rank fourth in the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.2.
In games where it is the underdog, Arizona has a 35-36 record and an overall money line of +284. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have a 6-4 SU record over the same span. The Diamondbacks are an excellent base stealing team with 102 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Diamondbacks allow 4.2 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.8 runs per game during that span.
The Pirates lead the season series, 4-1. The Pirates have a 56-38 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Ray takes the mound. Happ (LHP) will be on the hill against the Diamondbacks, who have a 12-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 27th time this season, the Pirates registered at least two errors in a game.
The Pirates managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Diamondbacks who are coming in with a 2-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 12-39. The Pirates have a 16-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom of the league at 22nd when it comes to home runs, hitting 101 this season. Arizona ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 105.
Pittsburgh and Arizona both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Pittsburgh sits at fourth with 9.05 hits per game and Arizona ranks second with 9.25.
Ranking 13th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.719). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .735.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 29-50. When the Pirates allow one or more homers, they have a 30-29 record.
