Phillies vs. Pirates Prediction
Will the Phillies pull off another upset today against the Pirates when the two teams meet again at 4:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Pirates are -123 money line favorites versus the Phillies, who have odds of +113 to pull off the upset. With Vince Velasquez set to face Ivan Nova in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 8.5 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Velasquez only lasted five innings in a no-decision against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. The hard-throwing right-hander punched out five while walking three. Bryce Harper did most of the damage against him with an RBI single in the third inning and a run-scoring double in the fifth. Velasquez will carry a 5.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP into tonight’s start.
Nova turned in a quality start while taking a no-decision in Sunday’s 10-inning win over the Diamondbacks, surrendering three runs on nine hits over six innings. Nova proved powerless in the face of Paul Goldschmidt, who burned him for a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo shot in the fifth. He finished up his outing having struck out four and walked one. The 30-year-old right-hander will carry a sharp 2.48 ERA and 1.03 WHIP into a home start against the Phillies.
Bet Today’s Phillies vs. Pirates Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Pirates are 2-5 in their last seven games following a loss and 0-4 in their last four games versus a team with a winning percentage below .400. They’re also just 1-4 in Nova’s last five starts when their opponent allows two runs or less in its previous game and 1-4 in his last five outings after allowing five runs or more in their previous game.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES +113