The Pittsburgh Pirates will square off against their NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and the matchup will be televised on both ATPT and FSOH.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Cincinnati (+100) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-110). Bettors are able to gamble on the games total with odds posted at -110 for over 9.5 runs and -110 for under 9.5. Runline odds stand at +135 for taking the Pirates -1.5 runs and -155 for the Reds +1.5.
The Reds are only 17-32 SU and 25-23 ATS. They’ve lost 12.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.5 units against the spread (ATS). Cincinnati has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven. The Pirates are 26-21 SU and have gone 22-24 ATS. In total, the teams accumulated 3.6 units for moneyline bettors in this young season, but have lost 0.5 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cincinnati games have a 21-25-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Pittsburgh has been a decent over bet with a total record of 24-17-5.
Chad Kuhl will get the nod for the visiting Pirates. The right-handed Kuhl is 4-2 with a 4.53 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with seven strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA against Cincinnati this year (two starts).
The Reds are putting the ball in the hands of righty Homer Bailey (1-6, 6.11 ERA), who’s got 32 strikeouts and 20 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.60. Bailey is 0-1 with two strikeouts and a 7.71 ERA across one starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 7.39 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.91, along with a WHIP of 1.24 and a K/9 of 9.98.
The Pirates offense has slashed .258/.335/.426 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the teams last five contests (1-4 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte, who’ve collectively belted 11 home runs. Dickerson is slashing .302/.341/.485 with five home runs, 29 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Marte (.308/.366/.503) has produced six homers, 19 RBIs, 30 runs and 10 steals.
Maintaining a slash line of .250/.289/.317 across 128 plate appearances, Marte appeared to have some trouble hitting righties on the road last year (his overall season line was .275/.333/.379).
For the home team, Cincinnati’s pitchers have yielded 5.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The teams starters have a 5.50 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.05 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.7 K/9. In 23 games against divisional foes, Reds starters have an ERA of 6.11 and the bullpens ERA is 4.52.
The Cincinnati hitters have put up 4.0 runs per outing, including 2.9 per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .163/.264/.248 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza have led the Reds’ batters so far. Gennett is slashing .324/.358/.528 with eight home runs, 33 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Peraza’s line is .251/.279/.330 with 48 hits, 10 RBIs, 27 runs and eight stolen bases.
The Pirates have gained 2.9 units and are 18-18 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Reds have lost 9.0 units and are 18-16 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs cashed in 14 of those games, compared to 19 that went under.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh has posted 21.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.6 over its last five.
- Each team has hit 11 home runs over its last 10 games.
