Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates 7/7/22 MLB Doubleheader Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds meet Thursday in MLB doubleheader action from Great American Ball Park. Pittsburgh is coming off a quick two-game series versus the Yankees. After a win on Tuesday, in the Wednesday matchup the Pirates fell in a blowout. As for the Reds, they just finished up against the Mets. Cincinnati split the first two games in that set, then in the Wednesday rubber match the Reds lost by five in extras. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Pittsburgh scored three runs in the fourth inning versus the Yankees on Tuesday, eventually powering out a 5-2 win. In the Wednesday game the Pirates coughed up 22 hits in a rough 16-0 defeat. Starter Mitch Keller left after 6.0 innings, four earned, 10 hits and a walk.

For the game one starter role Thursday the Pirates will send out Roansy Contreras. This year Contreras is 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA and 43 strikeouts. As for game two, Pittsburgh is going with Bryce Wilson. So far Wilson is 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA and 31 Ks in 39.2 innings. 

Over on the Reds’ side, they lost to the Mets 7-4 on Monday but bounced back Tuesday for a 1-0 win. On Wednesday in game three Cincinnati coughed up five runs in the top of the 10th inning and fell 8-3 in a rough outcome.  Starter Graham Ashcraft put up 6.0 innings with two earned on 10 hits. 

Starter for game one on Thursday will be Cincinnati’s Mike Minor. This year Minor is 1-5 with a 6.82 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Jeff Hoffman will make the game two start for the Reds. So far Hoffman is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA and 40 strikeouts. 

The Pirates are 9-19 in their last 28 overall and 5-12 in their last 17 Thursday games. Pittsburgh is 6-15 in their last 21 in game one of a series. 

Meanwhile, the Reds are 17-35 in the last 52 versus a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30 and 5-13 in their last 18 overall. The under is 8-3-1 in Cincinnati’s last 12 in game one of a series. 

GAME 1 PICK: I’m going to try the Pirates in game one. The good news for the Reds here is that Minor is coming off two earned in 6.0 innings versus the Braves. The bad news is that Minor has given up 12 earned over his last 17.0 innings and is currently riding a losing streak. 

GAME 2 PICK: I’ll take a stab on the Reds getting a win here. Wilson had a nice start in his last outing with two earned on eight hits and a walk in 6.0 innings versus Milwaukee. In the two starts prior to that however, Wilson posted 14 earned in a span of 6.2 innings. Cincinnati should have some scoring opportunities in the nightcap if the bats are working.