Pirates vs. Marlins Sunday Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the best surprises of the young 2018 MLB season. They’ll seek a series win against the Marlins on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET in what could be a high-scoring game for bettors.
Game Snapshot & Odds
957 Pittsburgh Pirates at 958 Miami Marlins; 8.5 runs
Sunday, April 15, 2018
1:10 p.m. ET, Marlins Park
TV: ATTP (PIT); FSFL (MIA)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Pirates as a -143 favorite. As of this writing, 62% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Pirates to beat the Marlins on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Nova coming off first win of the season for Pirates
Ivan Nova notched his first victory of the season after allowing three runs over seven innings Tuesday against the Cubs. Nova was touched up for two solo homers by Javier Baez, but did a good job limiting the damage otherwise. He fanned six and walked none in the victory. He’ll carry a 5.19 ERA into a favorable matchup against the Marlins on Sunday.
Quotable: “We’d do anything to win for each other,” Corey Dickerson, whose bunt single in the ninth inning drove in the only run Saturday, told AT&T Sportsnet. “The vibe is unbelievable. We feed off one another, and it’s very fun to be a part of.
“It’s being selfless. It’s not about you; it’s not about me. You never know who it’s going to be. That’s the cool part about it, you don’t know who it’s going to be on any given night. We feed off how good we are together. That’s all we need.”
Marlins’ Urena coming off excellent start vs. Red Sox
Jose Urena bounced back from a miserable Opening Day start to limit the Red Sox to one run over seven innings Tuesday. Urena allowed four hits, walked one and struck out seven, tying his career high.
Quotable: “I feel sometimes I’m like too loose, trying to get a feeling and get a tempo,” Urena said. “I have to be ready to go.”
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 8-2 in their last 10 road games and 12-4 in their last 16 games overall.
Miami
The Marlins have dropped eight of their last 10 games and are just 1-6 in their last seven home games.
Prediction:
We had to pay a premium yesterday on the red-hot Pirates but not so much today. The Pirates have struggled to win games with Nova on the mound (they’re 2-9 in his last 11 starts) but the same can be said for the Marlins when Urena toes the rubber (0-5 in his last five starts). Let’s lay the reasonable price on Pittsburgh and continue to back a team that’s red hot.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates -140