Can Pirates earn series split vs. Marlins?
Manager Don Mattingly eased Giancarlo Stanton back into the Marlins’ lineup an evening ago. With Miami (28-25) now positioned to grab three of four from the Pirates, though, it’s time to hit the accelerator.
The two teams wrap up their extended series tonight, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch in South Florida. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI take the host squad as a 1.5-run favorite. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, enters as a +114 underdog. The over/under total rests at eight runs.
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Stanton returned for yesterday’s proceedings after missing seven contests due to soreness in his right side. He batted fifth, going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk. Expect the prodigious slugger to occupy that customary cleanup spot, however, against Juan Nicasio (4-4, 4.79 ERA). Clint Hurdle’s righty labored through May, compiling a 1-2 record with a 6.75 ERA. He’s also 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in four assignments away from PNC Park this year.
Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.37) is eager for a fresh start, too. The lefty has ventured beyond the fifth in just one of his past five turns. Most recently, Chen was yanked from an outing vs. the MLB-worst Braves following 90 arduous pitches.
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Thankfully for the ex-Oriole, the Buccos find themselves in a considerable funk at the plate. Pittsburgh (29-23) owns two runs or fewer in four of the last five. Complicating matters further: the uncertain status of right fielder Gregory Polanco. The club’s leading RBI man remains compromised by discomfort in his left foot, clearly tilting those scales toward the Fish.
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