Pirates vs. Padres Thursday Prediction
The Pirates have won six of their last 10 games but are coming off a losing series in Arizona. Will Pittsburgh take Game 1 of its series in San Diego when the Padres host the Bucs at 10:10 p.m. ET on Thursday night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
959 Pittsburgh Pirates (+119) at 960 San Diego Padres (-129); 7.5 runs
Thursday, May 16, 2019
10:10 p.m. ET, Petco Park, San Diego, CA
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Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 51% of the betting tickets are on the Pirates to beat the Padres on the moneyline.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin
Josh Bell notched a pair of hits Wednesday in the Pirates’ 11-1 loss to Arizona. He went 2-for-4 while his teammates went a combined 4-for-28 (.143 AVG). Bell’s leadoff double in the second inning represented Pittsburgh’s only extra-base hit of the afternoon. He’s been unstoppable throughout his 15-game hitting streak, batting a remarkable .426 with six homers and 21 RBI over that stretch. On pace for 40-plus homers and well over 100 RBI, Bell’s long-awaited breakout is finally here.
San Diego Padres Fantasy Spin
Manuel Margot finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Margot was batting ninth for the first time this season. Because of Margot’s struggles (and Hunter Renfroe’s success), the Padres have been playing Wil Myers some in center field, even though Myers is a big defensive downgrade there. Margot’s .264 average isn’t bad, but it comes with a 25/2 K/BB ratio, and he hasn’t had an extra-base hit in a month.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 21-45 in their last 66 games versus National League West opponents.
San Diego
The Padres have won five straight when scoring two runs or less in their previous game.
Prediction:
The Pirates are 6-2 in Trevor Williams’ last eight starts, are 4-1 in his last five road outings and are 6-1 in his last seven starts coming off five days of rest. The Padres, meanwhile, are 1-4 in their last five games overall, are 1-4 in Eric Lauer’s last five starts and are 2-5 in his last seven starts following a team loss in their previous game.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +119