Liriano, Pirates to stay hot vs. Diamondbacks?
Following a scary scene involving their starting pitcher, the Pirates cleared the mechanism and managed to claim their series finale vs. the Rockies. Now it’s a matter of handling business against a long-overmatched foe.
Pittsburgh (24-19) hosts Arizona in tonight’s opener of a three-game set, with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch at PNC Park. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI prefer Clint Hurdle’s club, while the Diamondbacks enter as +160 underdogs. The over/under total rests at eight runs.
The Buccos earned their sixth victory in eight contests yesterday, 6-3, but it turned out to be a taxing affair in more ways than one. Ryan Vogelsong was carted off the field in the second inning after getting struck in the head by a Jordan Lyles liner. The hurler went to a local hospital and received treatment for an injured left eye.
All parties hope for a less calamitous matchup this evening. The D-backs merely want to snap a protracted skid in the Steel City. Pittsburgh has snatched nine of the past 12 meetings and sends Francisco Liriano (3-3, 4.63 ERA) to the hill here. The lefty is 2-1 with a 1.37 ERA in three outings at home.
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On the opposite side, Shelby Miller (1-5, 6.64) basically starts from scratch. The young righty surrendered three runs and a season-high 10 hits to the Yankees last week, and one honestly wonders when Arizona will see the hurler for whom the organization gave up the farm in December. To make matters worse, Miller holds a 2-6 record in nine career encounters with the Pirates.
Hurdle must be almost giddy about trotting out a lineup that boasts a .314 average during the current homestand. Even though the Diamondbacks (21-25) themselves are currently faring quite well at the plate, Pittsburgh could annihilate Miller in a few hours. Stay confident in the surging Buccos.
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