The Cincinnati Reds will be squaring off against their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The action gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can watch it on either ATPT or FSOH.
Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Cincinnati (-170) is entering this game as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+150) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this one at 8 runs. The odds for betting on the games total sit at -120 for the under and +100 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the most recent runline odds standing at +125 for the Reds +1.5 runs and -135 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 6-1 SU and 4-2 ATS. They’ve gained 3.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.0 units against the spread (ATS). The Reds are 1-5 SU and have gone 2-3 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 2.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and 1.9 units ATS.
Pirates games have a 4-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Cincinnati has an over/under record of 2-3.
The Reds have lost 0.7 units and are 1-2 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in one of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 2.9 units and are 3-2 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in three of those games, compared to two that went under the total.
Sal Romano (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will get the start for Cincinnati. The right-handed Romano started 16 games last year while finishing the season 5-8 overall with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He made three starts against the Pirates in 2017 and compiled a 1-2 record against them with a 2.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Bucs are going with righty Chad Kuhl (1-0, 6.35 ERA) as their starter. Kuhl struck out 142 hitters in 157 innings last year (31 starts). Kuhl finished the season 8-11 overall with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He recorded two starts against the Reds a year ago and assembled a 1-1 record with a 3.09 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 4.6 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.82, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.9. The bullpen has a 4.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. In two games against NL Central opponents, Pirates starters have an ERA of 2.61 and the bullpens ERA is 2.35.
Pittsburgh’s hitters have put up 7.0 runs per outing, including 7.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .280/.383/.482 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates offense has been led by right fielder Gregory Polanco and second baseman Josh Harrison. Polanco is hitting .280/.441/.680 with seven hits, 11 RBIs and seven runs scored, and Harrison’s line is .344/.417/.500 with 11 hits, four RBIs and 10 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Cincinnati’s pitchers have allowed 6.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.96 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 6.34 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 9.31, along with a K-per-9 of 7.91.
Reds hitters have slashed .244/.321/.363 on their way to 3.0 runs scored per game this season.
Cincinnati’s offensive production been led by Scott Schebler and Phil Gosselin. Schebler is hitting .333/.385/.667 with four hits, one RBI and three runs scored, while Gosselin (.400/.500/.1000) is up to two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Pirates went 6-13 SU against the Reds last season.
- The Pirates bullpen recorded an ERA of 3.19 against the Reds last year.
