Pirates vs. Reds Game 2 Prediction
Josh Bell and the Pirates will play the second game of their Memorial Day doubleheader against the Reds at 7:10 p.m. ET from the Great American Ballpark. Will Sonny Gray lead Cincinnati to a win over its National League Central rivals?
Game Snapshot & Odds
903 Pittsburgh Pirates (+135) at 904 Cincinnati Reds (-159); 9 runs
Monday, May 27, 2019
1:10 p.m. ET, Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
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Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 68% of the betting tickets are on the Reds to beat the Pirates on the moneyline.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin
The Pirates have confirmed that pitching prospect Mitch Keller will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his major league debut Monday versus the Reds. He will start the second game, with Nick Kingham taking the ball in the first game. General manager Neal Huntington seemed open-minded when asked Sunday about how long Keller might stick around. “He could be one and back to the minor leagues to continue to grow and develop, or he could get an extended opportunity, and he also may never go back,” Huntington said. The 23-year-old has put up a 3.45 ERA and 56/20 K/BB ratio over 47 innings through nine starts for Indy. While this could just be a spot start, it’s not difficult to see Keller being a staple in the Pirates’ rotation soon given the injuries to Jameson Taillon (elbow) and Trevor Williams (oblique).
Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Spin
Sonny Gray struck out nine Brewers hitters over six scoreless innings Tuesday in the Reds’ 3-0 shutout win. Gray bent but never broke, scattering five hits and four walks across his six innings of work. The nine strikeouts tied a season-high and it was the first start in which he didn’t allow a run, not counting an abbreviated four-inning outing against the Marlins in early April. In 10 starts overall, the 29-year-old has a 3.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 57/20 K/BB ratio over 50 innings of work. He’ll look to keep the momentum rolling Monday in a midday tilt with the Pirates.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 5-0 in their last five games when playing the second game of a doubleheader.
Cincinnati
The Reds have won five of their last six games when facing a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Prediction:
The Pirates are just 1-4 in their last five games versus a right-handed starter and were 1-5 in their last six games coming into play on Monday. The Reds, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games entering play today, which includes a winning weekend at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. The Reds’ bats have been hot, scoring at least six runs in each of their last four games. While Keller might have a bright future in Pittsburgh, this is a good spot to back Cincinnati.
The Pick: Cincinnati Reds -159