The Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins meet on Thursday in MLB action at the loanDepot park. Here’s a Marlins vs Pirates Prediction. This article will include a Marlins vs Pirates Pick.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won 76 games in back-to-back seasons and haven’t made the postseason since the 2015 season. The Pirates have one of the best arms in baseball in Paul Skenes, who had a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts last season as a rookie, and he’s a strong CY Young candidate this season. Paired with Jared Jones, who had a 1.19 WHIP last season, the Pirates have a special pitching tandem to build around.
The Pirates’ lineup has two promising guys entering their prime in Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes. It’s just about finding guys to fill out the roster. There are some legit blue chippers on this Pirates roster, but baseball has shown us time and time again that it takes a complete roster to really make things happen in this sport. The Pirates will take on the Rays and Yankees after this series.
Paul Skenes gets the ball for the Pirates, and he was 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts last season. This will be Skenes’s second career game against the Marlins.
Miami Marlins Betting Preview
The Miami Marlins lost 100 games last season for the fourth time in franchise history, and we could see a repeat of that this year. The Marlins did nothing to upgrade this roster, and with injuries to pitchers Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, Eury Perez, and Ryan Weathers, there’s just not a lot to get excited about.
The return of CY Young winner Sandy Alcantara is a bright spot, but everybody knows it’s only a matter of time before he’s traded, assuming he stays healthy. The Marlins are going to give the White Sox a run for their money as the worst team in the MLB this season.
Sandy Alcantara gets the ball for the Marlins, and he was 7-12 with a 4.14 ERA and 151 strikeouts in the 2023 season. Alcantara is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA and 33 strikeouts in his career against the Pirates.
Why the Miami Marlins will win
- The Marlins have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Pirates have lost five of their last six road games against NL East opponents.
- The Marlins have covered the run line in each of their last four games.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last three games as favorites.
- The Marlins have won the first inning in each of their last five games.
- The Marlins have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight day games against the Pirates at LoanDepot Park.
- The Marlins have led after 3 innings in each of their last six games.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last eight games against the Marlins.
- The Marlins have lost each of their last six day games against National League opponents.
- The Marlins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Thursday home games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Marlins.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last five games against NL East opponents.
- The Marlins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six day games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against NL East opponents.
Marlins vs Pirates Injury Report
As previously mentioned, the Marlins are down a lot of quality starting pitching with injuries to Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, Eury Perez, and Ryan Weathers.
The Pirates will start the season without pitcher Jared Jones, while second baseman Termarr Johnson is day-to-day with a foot injury.
Marlins vs Pirates Prediction
As I’ve already mentioned, the Marlins are a joke of a franchise, with their payroll that’s under 50 million dollars. There’s not going to be a lot of chances to make money on the Marlins this season. However, Alcantara is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he’s possibly the only positive thing going for the Marlins.
You don’t often get an elite-level starting pitcher in the underdog role, and when you do, you should probably take advantage of it. Yes, Skenes is just as good and isn’t coming off an injury, but we’re not getting the more favorable price on that side. I love my dogs with star pitchers on the bump. Give me the Marlins on opening day.