Banister’s Rangers to hold off Pirates?
While the Pirates and Rangers assume tonight’s main stage in the Lone Star State, a pupil-vs.-teacher subplot promises to make the matchup even more intriguing.
Texas manager Jeff Banister faces his old mentor in Pittsburgh, Clint Hurdle, as the two clubs open a three-game set at 8:05 p.m. ET. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI endorse the Rangers as 1.5-run favorites. The Buccos, on the other hand, are +135 underdogs.
From 2011-14, Banister served as Hurdle’s bench coach in the Steel City. The former graduated to the head gig at Global Life Park last year, though, guiding Texas to 88 victories and an ALCS showdown against Toronto. This season has produced additional success, with Arlington’s finest racing out to the AL West’s second-best mark through 47 contests.
The Pirates, of course, recognize excellence. After qualifying for the playoffs in each of the past three campaigns, they’re off to a 27-19 start in 2016. Winners of nine of 11, the Buccos send Jonathon Niese (4-2, 4.75 ERA) to the bump in a few hours. The lefty yielded one run across seven innings in a no-decision in Saturday’s 5-1 defeat to the Rockies.
MLB Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Niese will probably have to twirl an absolute gem here, because Banister counters with Cole Hamels (5-0, 2.83). The former World Series MVP is 12-0 with a 2.99 ERA in his last 18 regular-season assignments. He’s also coming off an outing in which he fanned 11.
Unless Andrew McCutchen or Gregory Polanco runs into a fastball early, we can’t imagine Hamels suddenly hitting the skids. In what should be a low-scoring affair, bank on the southpaw with the superior track record. Or, to put it another way, Round 1 in the dugout goes to the student.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/RANGERS UNDER 9 RUNS
Want More Picks, Predictions & Odds From The Spread.com? Follow on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!