Pirates vs. Reds Saturday Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the hottest teams in baseball. Will they pick up their second win of their series against the Cincinnati Reds when the National League Central rivals meet again Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
959 Pittsburgh Pirates (+100) at 960 Cincinnati Reds (-120); 9.5 runs
Saturday, July 21, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Target Field
TV: PIT (ATTP); CIN (FSO)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Reds as a -120 favorite. As of this writing, 67% 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’ Kingham whiffs nine in win over Brewers
Nick Kingham pitched well in Friday’s victory over the Brewers, racking up nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball. The right-hander scattered five hits and a walk in the contest. Two of those five hits — to Travis Shaw and Brandon Woodruff — wound up leaving the yard. The 26-year-old hueler has been inconsistent in his nine starts with the Pirates, but there’s no denying that the talent is there. He now sports a 4.26 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 51/12 K/BB ratio in 50 2/3 innings on the season. He’s currently owned in only 11 percent of all Yahoo leagues and could be a helpful streaming option in the second half, given his contributions in strikeouts.
Reds’ DeSclafani lit up for six earned runs in loss to Cardinals
Anthony DeSclafani was lit up for six earned runs over just 3 1/3 innings Sunday in a loss to the Cardinals. St. Louis pounced for one run in the bottom of the first inning, one more in the bottom of the second, and then poured on four runs in the bottom of the fourth. DeSclafani gave up five total hits, including two home runs. He walked one and struck out three. The 28-year-old right-hander closes the first half with a 4-2 record, 5.32 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 35/13 K/BB ratio in 44 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are a perfect 7-0 in their last seven games overall and have won nine of their last 10 games.
Cincinnati
The Reds have won 11 of their last 15 home games despite their 12-1 loss to the Pirates on Friday night.
Prediction:
The Pirates are a perfect 6-0 in their last six divisional games, are 5-0 in their last five road games versus a right-handed starter, and have won four of five against a team with a losing record. On the other side, the Reds are just 2-10 in DeSclafani’s last 12 starts when he pitches the second game of a series and are 2-5 in his last seven home outings. I’m riding with the hotter team tonight.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +100