In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Brewers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 23rd at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 17-34 this year after they lost game one by a score of 8-5 on Thursday night. Pittsburgh trailed all night long, but they did score twice in the ninth inning to make things interesting. The Pirates recorded nine hits in the game, and they were led by Horwitz, who went 2-5 with one home run and two RBIs in the loss. Pittsburgh started Burrows, who allowed four hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Shugart allowed three hits and three earned runs in relief.
Prior to this series, the Pirates won two out of three against the Reds, but did get swept by the Phillies before that. Pittsburgh has lost five of its last seven games, and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.05 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 151 runs with a .219 batting average and a .300 on-base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with eight home runs and 19 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added six home runs and 25 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 3-5 with a 2.44 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP over 62.2 innings pitched this year.
Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview
The Milwaukee Brewers are 25-26 this season after they won game one by a score of 8-5. Milwaukee scored three runs in the first inning, and they were able to add a few insurance runs in the eighth to secure the win. The Brewers recorded 10 hits in the game, and they were led by Yelich, who went 2-3 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Milwaukee started Civale, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Rodriguez allowed five hits and three earned runs in relief, but also picked up the win.
Prior to this series, the Brewers won two out of three against the Orioles, but dropped two out of three against the Twins before that. Milwaukee has won four of its last five games, and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The Milwaukee pitching staff has a 4.13 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .242 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 220 runs with a .230 batting average and a .308 on-base percentage this season. Christian Yelich has led Milwaukee with nine home runs and 30 RBIs, while Rhys Hoskins has added seven home runs and 27 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Milwaukee is Freddy Peralta, who is 5-3 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over 55.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Brewers will beat the Pirates
- The Pirates have lost each of their last six games as favorites.
- The Brewers have won 21 of their last 32 games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Brewers have covered the run line in 18 of their last 20 games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Brewers have led after 5 innings in 10 of their last 12 games at PNC Park against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Brewers have led after 3 innings in nine of their last 10 games at PNC Park against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Pirates’ last nine home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Brewers’ last four night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Brewers’ last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six games as favorites.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz ranks 1st in the league in Steals (18) this season.
Milwaukee Brewers Player Prop Facts
- Brice Turang ranks T8th in the league in Steals (13) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (151).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for doubles this season (58).
- The Brewers rank 2nd in the league for steals this season (66).
- The Brewers rank 28th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.354).
Pirates vs Brewers Prediction
Milwaukee comes into this matchup playing some very strong baseball over their last five games, and they have scored at least five runs in four of their last five. The Brewers are 10-16 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 11-15 at home. Pittsburgh has won two of its last three games, but its offense has been one of the worst in the MLB. The Pirates are starting Skenes, who has been great, but the Pirates are just 1-5 in his last six starts. The Brewers are going with Peralta, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. I am going to continue to fade this Pittsburgh offense and take Milwaukee with the plus money.