The Pittsburgh Pirates will go for their fourth consecutive victory when they play host to the Texas Rangers at PNC Park. This interleague matchup begins at 12:35 p.m. ET and fans can catch it on ATPT and FSSW.
Texas Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Pittsburgh (receiving -135 odds) is hosting this one as the favorite over Texas and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 9 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total currently sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Rangers +1.5 runs (-170) and Pirates -1.5 runs (+150).
The Rangers are 16-17 SU and have gone 19-13 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 5.3 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going and 3.0 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 17-15 SU and 18-13 ATS. They’ve gained 1.9 units for moneyline bettors and 3.3 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Pirates games have an over/under record of 14-16-1 so far in 2019. Texas has been a decent over bet with a total record of 19-12-1.
Right-hander Shelby Miller will get the start for the visiting Rangers. Miller (1-2, 7.99 ERA) has recorded 13 strikeouts in 23.2 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 10.80 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are going with righty Nick Kingham (1-0, 6.39 ERA), who has 13 strikeouts and six walks, along with a 1.50 WHIP. Kingham has yet to face the Rangers this year and did not record a start against them in 2018.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 4.3 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.17 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 10.8 K/9.
The Pittsburgh hitters have put up 3.6 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .242/.318/.382 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Melky Cabrera have led the way for the Pirates’ offense so far. Bell is hitting .288/.368/.619 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored, while Cabrera is batting .344 with three homers, 10 RBIs and nine runs.
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starters own a 5.61 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7.94 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.66, along with a K/9 of 7.49.
Rangers hitters have slashed .252/.338/.453 on their way to 5.8 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been paced by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. Andrus is slashing .328/.385/.519 with five home runs, 23 RBIs, 20 runs and six steals, while Choo is hitting .322/.410/.545 with four homers, 14 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
The Rangers have gained 4.5 units and are 14-10 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 14 of those games, as opposed to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 3.2 units and are 13-8 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in eight of those games, compared to 12 that went under the total.
Rangers at Pirates Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Texas has logged 18 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Pittsburgh has 15 XBH over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit nine over their last 10.
- The Rangers have an OPS of .791 this season and an OPS of .816 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .671 overall and .706 against righties.
- Texas has posted 25.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Pirates have won five of their last six games SU.
