The Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Sunday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs Angels Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs Angels Pick.
Los Angeles Angels Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Angels are 54-88 on the year and play the Nationals and Red Sox next. The Los Angeles Angels are batting .234 on the season, have a .308 OBP, and have a .370 slugging percentage. The Los Angeles Angels’ pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Zach Neto leads the Los Angeles Angels with 130 hits and 67 RBI, while Mike Trout and Nolan Schanuel have combined for 216 hits and 100 RBI.
Walbert Urena gets the ball for the Los Angeles Angels, and he is 9-9 with a 2.85 ERA and 120 strikeouts this season. This will be Urena’s first career game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 70-73 this year and play the Cubs and White Sox next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .252 on the season, with a .331 OBP and a .402 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.21 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 154 hits and 59 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 274 hits and 150 RBI.
Paul Skenes gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 9-11 with a 3.97 ERA and 179 strikeouts this season. This will be Skenes’ first career game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last nine day games against AL opponents.
- The Angels have lost each of their last nine day games against NL opponents following a win.
- The Angels have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six games against AL opponents following a loss.
- The Angels have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last three day games at PNC Park.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in eight of their last nine day games against AL opponents.
Why the Los Angeles Angels will win
- The Angels have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine games against AL West opponents following a loss.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Angels and Pirates.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last eight day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Angels’ last eight games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the last four games between the Angels and Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the last eight games between the Angels and Pirates.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Angels’ last five games at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in four of his last seven appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last 10 games against AL West opponents.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.307) this season.
Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts
- Josh Lowe has hit a home run in two of his last three road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Walbert Ureña has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Wade Meckler has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Mike Trout ranks 10th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.376) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1358).
- The Pirates rank T2nd in the league for hits this season (1242).
- The Angels rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.370).
- The Angels rank 29th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.308).
Pirates vs Angels Prediction
I know the Pirates are going to get all of the love with Skenes on the mound, but he’s been hittable this season, and that includes just allowing 5 runs to the Giants. You can argue Urena is having a better season as a rookie with a 2.85 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 123.1 frames. I’m never in the business of backing the Angels, but we’re getting a big underdog price with the better-in-form pitcher. I’ll take a stab at the Angels on Sunday afternoon.