Reds vs. Pirates Prediction
Can the Cincinnati Reds add to the woes of the Pittsburgh Pirates when the two open up a weekend series tonight at 7:05PM ET?
903 Cincinnati Reds vs. 904 Pittsburgh Pirates
Friday, August 23, 2019
7:05PM ET – PNC Park
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Reds are the slight favorite on the road today, as they are getting odds of -115 to win. The Pirates are listed with a money line of -105 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 9 runs. The public betting for the contest currently has 75 percent going on the Reds on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Reds look for win streak
Cincinnati has won its last two games over the Padres coming into this weekend series. The Reds have scored four runs or less in four straight games. Cincinnati is 60-66 on the season, 23-35 on the road and 73-48 with the under. The Reds have Anthony DeSclafani on the mound today. He is 8-7 on the season with a 4.40 ERA.
The Reds have been led by their pitching this season, as they post a 4.15 ERA as a staff and a 1.29 WHIP. At the plate, Cincy is averaging just 4.52 runs per game while batting .250. Eugenio Suarez is leading the team this season with 18 doubles, 34 home runs and 78 RBI while Jose Iglesias has 48 RBI with 18 doubles.
Pirates struggling
Pittsburgh has lost five of its last six games, scoring just seven runs over the six games. The Pirates are 52-75 on the season, 26-37 at home and 72-51 with the over. Pittsburgh has Mitch Keller getting the start this evening. He is 1-2 on the year with an 8.86 ERA.
The Pirates are quickly sliding down the ranks offensively. Pittsburgh is averaging 4.55 runs per game while batting .262 as a team. On the mound, the Pirates have a 5.08 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP. Josh Bell is leading the team with 37 doubles, 31 home runs and 99 RBI while Starling Marte has 26 doubles, 22 home runs and 73 RBI.
MLB Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Reds are 5-1 in their last six games against a team with a losing record and 7-2 in DeSclafani’s last nine Friday starts.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 5-16 in their last 21 home games and 5-21 in their last 26 against NL Central opponents.
Prediction:
Neither offense has been impressive lately, but the Pirates are really struggling at the plate right now. That could be a problem as Keller has been getting lit up this year. He gave up six runs in four innings to the Reds earlier this season. DeSclafani hasn’t been great this year, but has his moments where he pitches pretty well. I think he has a better chance to pitch well against this Pittsburgh lineup while the Reds should find some runs on Keller.
MLB Prediction: Cincinnati Reds -115