Pittsburgh Pirates (24-20) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (25-20)
2023-05-21 13:35:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates +130 / Arizona Diamondbacks -161 --- Over/Under: 8
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The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Sunday in MLB action from PNC Park. This will be the finale in a three-game weekend series. The Pirates took a blowout win on Friday, then in game two Arizona evened it up with a close victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks coughed up seven runs in the fourth inning alone during the Friday opener of this series, eventually falling big 13-3. On Saturday Arizona came back from a 3-1 deficit and won it 4-3. Brandon Pfaadt managed 5.1 innings in the start with three earned, six hits and two walks.
As starter for Sunday’s game it’ll be the Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly. In his nine starts this year Kelly is 4-3 with a 2.92 ERA and 55 Ks in 52.1 innings. Kelly is 40-38 with a 3.87 ERA in 106 career games.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Over on the Pittsburgh side, they out-hit the Diamondbacks 17-4 in the Friday opener. On Saturday the Pirates scored all three of their runs in the third inning. Starter Mitch Keller put up 6.0 innings with two earned, three hits and zero walks.
Roansy Contreras will take the mound for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. Over eight starts this year Contreras is 3-4 with a 4.40 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 45.0 innings. Contreras is 8-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 30 career games (27 starts).
The Diamondbacks are 39-86 in their last 125 road games versus a team with a winning record. Arizona is 11-4 in their last 15 versus a team with a winning record and the over is 4-1 in the last five in game three of a series.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 46-94 in their last 140 in game three of a series and 16-38 in their last 54 versus a team with a winning record. The over is 7-3 in their last 10 at home.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll go with the Diamondbacks here. Kelly was a little shaky at times on May 10 versus Miami (6.0 innings; four earned) but he’s been pitching well overall lately. In his last three starts combined Kelly has 20.0 innings with six earned on 12 hits and three walks. He should pitch well here also. On Saturday Arizona fell behind early but ended up pulling out the win with some late life. The offense may need an earlier start in this one but I think the Diamondbacks still have a good shot at a victory.
