Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/20/2018 Prediction & Odds

Pirates vs. Reds Friday Prediction

Two teams that ended the first half of the season on respective rolls will meet in Cincinnati at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday. Will the game be low-scoring when the Reds host the Pirates in Game 1 of the series?

Game Snapshot & Odds

907 Pittsburgh Pirates (-104) at 908 Cincinnati Reds (-108); 9 runs

Friday, July 20, 2018

7:10 p.m. ET, Great American Ball Park

TV: PIT (ATTP); CIN (FSO)

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Reds as a -108 favorite. As of this writing, 61% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Reds to beat the Pirates 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.

Pirates' Taillon strikes out 10 Brewers over six strong innings

Jameson Taillon struck out 10 while allowing a lone run over six innings in a 6-3 win over the Brewers on Thursday. Taillon scattered four hits and two walks, with Jesus Aguilar's solo homer in the fourth inning serving as the only damage against him. Taillon has now managed to hold opponents to three runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts, lowering his ERA to 3.91 through 19 starts overall. He'll take a 6-7 record into the season's second half next week.

Reds' Mahle gets pounded for seven runs by Indians

Tyler Mahle was knocked around for seven runs (five earned) in 2 1/3 innings and took a loss to the Indians on Wednesday. He gave up a two-run homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning and then completely melted down in the third frame. He allowed five of the first six batters to reach base and all of them came around to score. The Indians plated nine runs in that inning and 19 in the ballgame. Mahle falls to 7-7 with a 4.02 ERA in 19 starts. The rookie has 98 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings, which is quite good, but he's served up 17 home runs already.

MLB Betting Trends

Pittsburgh

The Pirates are 1-5 in their last six games against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati

The Reds have won 18 of their last 26 games overall.

Prediction:

The under is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings between these two teams and is 7-1 in the last eight meetings in Cincinnati. The under is also 4-0 in Tallon's last four starts versus the Reds, is 8-3-1 in his last 12 road outings, and is 7-3 in the Pirates' last 10 games overall. On the other side, the under is 14-6-3 in Mahle's last 23 starts overall and is 9-1 in his last 10 outings versus the rest of the National League Central.

 

The Pick: Pirates/Reds under 9