Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 7/31/2021
Philadelphia Phillies (51-51) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (38-64)
July 31, 2021 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates +140 / Philadelphia Phillies -150 ; Over/Under: 8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Saturday in MLB action from PNC Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game set between these teams over the weekend. In the Friday opener, the Pirates took a big shutout win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Philadelphia played the Nationals this week and ended up splitting that series at two games apiece. In the Friday opener versus the Pirates, the Phillies had just one hit in a 7-0 shutout loss. Vince Velasquez went 2.0 innings with six hits and five earned runs.
For the Saturday starting pitcher role, the Phillies will send out Aaron Nola. In his 115.1 innings of work this year, Nola has 111 hits, with 57 runs (56 earned), 18 homers, 24 walks, 140 Ks and a 4.37 ERA.
Over on the Pirates’ side, they lost three straight to the Brewers this week by a combined score of 28-3. In the Friday game, Pittsburgh had 12 team hits in the victory. Wil Crowe managed 6.0 innings with one hit, four walks and no earned.
For the Saturday starting pitcher job, the Pirates are going with JT Brubaker. This year Brubaker has 96.1 innings with 92 hits, 50 earned runs, 21 homers allowed, 23 walks, 99 Ks and a 4.67 ERA overall.
The Phillies are 6-2 in the last eight Saturday games and 12-28 in their last 40 road games with a total of 7.0-8.5. The over is 5-2 in the Phillies’ last seven Saturday games and 15-6 in their last 21 overall.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 32-69 in their last 101 games with a total of 9.0-10.5 and 16-36 in their last 52 with a total of 7.0-8.5. The Pirates are 26-53 in their last 79 overall and the over is 4-1 in their last five Saturday games.
PICK: I’m probably sticking with the Phillies in this one. Brubaker has had some rough outings lately, posting 17 earned runs in a span of 18.2 innings over his last four appearances. As for Nola, he’s coming off a nice game versus the Braves with 8.2 innings and one earned, but had 15 earned runs across three starts prior to that. If Nola can keep it going Philly should be just fine.
