Rangers vs. Pirates Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates won the opener of a two-game series last night and will now go after a quick sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers this afternoon. Can Pittsburgh win a fourth straight game with another victory?
Game Snapshot
975 Texas Rangers at 976 Pittsburgh Pirates
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
PNC Park at 12:35PM ET
TV: ATT SportsNet-PIT
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Pirates are a -135 favorite on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +125 underdog, while the total is set at 9 runs. As of Wednesday morning, 61 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Texas. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Rangers falter in middle innings
Texas led 2-1 Tuesday night at Pittsburgh before giving up two runs in the bottom of the fourth and another two in the fifth on its way to a 5-4 loss. Hunter Pence had a big night in the losing effort as he was a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, a walk and four RBIs. Joey Gallo finished 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run. Elvis Andrus was 1-for-5 and scored a run. Adrian Sampson suffered the loss as he surrendered five earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Shelby Miller will start tonight for the Rangers as he enters with a 1-2 record, 7.99 ERA and 2.03 WHIP plus 13 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings.
Pirates edge Rangers
Pittsburgh held off Texas at home Tuesday night with a 5-4 vitory to improve to 17-15 overall and 9-8 at home. The Pirates took the lead at 3-2 with a pair of runs in the fourth and then a Gregory Polanco 2-run home run extended it to 5-2 in the fifth inning. Polanco ended his night 2-for-4 with the home run and two RBIs. Starling Marte finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Melky Cabrera was 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit two-run double. Michael Feliz picked up the win in one perfect inning of relief with one strikeout. Nick Kingham will start tonight for Pittsburgh as he comes in with a 1-0 record, 6.39 ERA and 1.50 WHP with 13 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Texas
The Rangers are 17-36 in their last 53 road games. Texas is 3-7 in its last 10 Wednesday games.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 23-6 in their last 29 interleague games. Pittsburgh is 2-5 in the last seven Kingham home starts.
Prediction:
It’s hard to pick a side here, but the Pirates have been playing good baseball of late and have been stellar lately in interleague play. Kingham showed a bit of promise when he first came up the big leagues last season and will benefit from the likelihood of good run support as Miller is one of the most hittable starting pitchers in baseball. Expect Pittsburgh to outlast Texas once again on getaway day.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES -135