A.J. Burnett (6-3, 2.05 ERA) and Anthony DeSclafani (5-5, 3.48 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-31) and the Cincinnati Reds (33-37) at PNC Park. The Reds won the last game 5-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 25 and can be seen on FSN-OH and ROOT-PIT.
Burnett is 8-6 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts against the Reds. Andrew McCutchen (.292, 37 Rs, 9 HRs, 44 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. When pitching against the Pirates, DeSclafani is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and seven strikeouts. Todd Frazier (.289, 52 Rs, 23 HRs, 49 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Pittsburgh is a -160 favorite against Cincinnati and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Pirates have recorded an overall money line of +504 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 34-16. Pittsburgh is an impressive 7-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Opposing offenses that come to PNC Park have been stifled by the Pirates, who have a team ERA of only 2.67 at home. The Pirates are the fifth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.3 hits per game so far this season.
As for their opponent, Cincinnati is coming in with an overall money line of -626 and a disappointing record of 12-26 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with an 8-13 record against teams in their division, and a 5-5 record SU. The Reds are an excellent base-stealing team with an MLB-best 71 stolen bases.
The Reds have controlled the season series, 6-2. The Pirates have a 32-25 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when DeSclafani takes the mound. Burnett (RHP) will be on the hill against the Reds, who have a 23-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Cincinnati is 12-17, while Pittsburgh is 11-16.
The Pirates managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Reds who are coming in with a 16-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Reds are 6-26. The Pirates have a 7-22 record when opponents outhit them.
Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th when it comes to home runs, hitting 56 this season. Cincinnati ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 84.
Ranking 11th, Cincinnati is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.36 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.73.
Ranking 20th, Pittsburgh is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.690). Cincinnati ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .723.
The Reds are 15-29 when they allow at least one home run. The Pirates perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with an 11-21 record.
