Pirates vs. Phillies Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies look to keep their current winning surge going when they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at 7:05PM ET.
Game Snapshot & Odds
901 Pittsburgh Pirates at 902 Philadelphia Phillies
Friday, April 20, 2018
7:05PM ET, Citizens Bank Stadium
TV: NSPA, ATPT
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Phillies are favored are getting odds of -115 to win tonight and are the favorite. The Pirates are listed with odds of +105 to win, while the over/under total for the contest is set at 8 runs. Currently 55% of the wagers are going on the Phillies at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Phillies hot at home
Philadelphia is coming off a 7-0 win at home over the Pirates last night to improve to 6-1 on the season. The Phillies have also won eight of their last 10 games overall to move to 11-7 on the season. Philly is now averaging 5.28 runs per game while allowing just 3.78 per contest.
Ben Lively get the start for the Phillies tonight. He is 0-1 through three starts. Over 15.1 innings of work, Lively has allowed 10 runs with three walks and 17 strikeouts. His WHIP is 1.63 while his ERA is 5.87.
Pittsburgh in a slump
The Pirates are in their first funk of the season, losing three of their last four games. They have been shutout in two of those three losses as well. Pittsburgh is now 12-7 on the season and 7-3 on the road. The Pirates are putting up 5.21 runs per game this year while allowing 4.47 per contest.
Ivan Nova takes the mound for the Pirates this evening. He is 2-1 through four starts with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.17. Nova has just four walks with 22 strikeouts, but has given up four home runs and 13 runs over 24 innings of work.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates lost eight of their last 10 Friday games and seven of Nova’s last 10 starts. They also have lost 12 of his last 16 road starts.
Philadelphia
The Phillies have won five straight against NL Central opponents and six of their last eight games against a right-handed starter.
Prediction:
While the records favor Pittsburgh, these two teams are going in different directions. The Pirates haven’t been able to sustain their hot start due to their poor pitching. Philadelphia is starting to heat up at the plate and that has allowed their pitching to settle in. I expect the same to continue tonight. Pittsburgh’s bats have gone cold, which should help Lively get on track on the mound.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -115