The Pittsburgh Pirates will head west to square off against their division rival Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Fox Sports Net Wisconsin is in line to broadcast the matchup and the game gets going at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers Odds
Milwaukee (-140) is the favorite over Pittsburgh (+130) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-110 for both the over and the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at -170 for the Pirates +1.5 runs and +150 for the Brewers -1.5 runs.
The Brewers are 84-63 straight up (SU) and 76-71 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 17.3 units for moneyline bettors and 0.3 units (ATS). The Pirates, on the other hand, have gone 72-73 SU this year and are 71-74 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 1.0 unit for gamblers taking the moneyline and 10.3 units ATS.
Brewers games have an over/under record of 70-73-4 in 2018. Pittsburgh has been a decent under bet with a total record of 64-71-10.
Right-hander Chris Archer is the probable starter for Pittsburgh. Archer (4-7, 4.56 ERA) has racked up 137 strikeouts in 130.1 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 13.50 ERA against Milwaukee this year.
The Brewers will turn to lefty Gio Gonzalez (8-11, 4.40 ERA), who has 133 punchouts and 71 walks as well as a 1.50 WHIP. Gonzalez is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.45 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.09, along with a WHIP of 1.27 and a K/9 of 9.68.
The Pirates offense has slashed .254/.320/.407 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson have led Pittsburgh’s offense. Marte is slashing .274/.319/.453 with 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, 73 runs and 31 stolen bases, while Dickerson (.291/.319/.451) is up to 11 homers, 49 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Milwaukee’s pitchers have given up 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have a 3.93 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 10.2 K/9. In 64 divisional games, Brewers starters have an ERA of 3.72 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.19.
The Milwaukee offense has put up 4.5 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .224/.313/.353 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Brewers’ hitters have been led by outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. Yelich is slashing .313/.382/.550 with 28 home runs, 86 RBIs, 99 runs and 19 stolen bases, and Cain’s line is .314/.403/.432 with 10 homers, 36 RBIs, 81 runs and 27 stolen bases.
The Pirates have lost 5.8 units and are 19-22 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 24 of those games, compared to 16 that’ve gone under against lefties. On the other hand, the Brewers have netted 17.6 units and are 57-50 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 47 of those games, compared to 56 that went under.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Brewers, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
