In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Red Sox prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 14th 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 59-64 this year after they lost two out of three against the Marlins by scores of 0-2, 2-8, and 13-1. In game three, Pittsburgh scored the first 13 runs in the game and cruised to the easy win. The Pirates recorded 16 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Flores Jr, who went 2-5 with two home runs and six RBIs. Ashcraft allowed three hits and one earned run over 9.0 innings for the win. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Mets and three out of four against the Brewers.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.32 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 617 runs with a .256 batting average and a .334 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 25 home runs and 74 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 5-8 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 116.1 innings pitched this year.
Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
The Boston Red Sox are 65-56 this season after they lost three out of four against the Blue Jays by scores of 1-2, 3-5, 4-6, and 7-0. In game four, Boston took the lead in the first inning and never looked back in the victory. The Red Sox recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by Durbin, who went 3-5 with one home run and five RBIs. Tolle allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 8.0 innings for the win, while Weissert threw the last inning in relief. Prior to that series, Boston lost two out of three against the Athletics, but did sweep the White Sox before that.
This season, Boston has a 3.48 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 538 runs with a .248 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Willson Contreras has led the Red Sox with 24 home runs and 72 RBIs, while Jarren Duran has added 16 home runs and 61 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Jake Bennett, who is 7-5 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 76.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The underdogs have won nine of the last 10 games between the Red Sox and Pirates.
- The Red Sox have lost each of their last seven night games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 Friday night games as favorites against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as home underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four home games against AL East opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven games as home underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last five home games against American League opponents.
Why the Boston Red Sox will win
- The Red Sox have won each of their last 11 Friday games.
- The Pirates have lost each of their last seven night games against AL East opponents following a win.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games following a win.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line in each of their last 12 Friday games.
- The Red Sox have won the first inning in five of their last six night games against National League opponents.
- The Red Sox have led after 3 innings in each of their last 11 Friday games.
- The Red Sox have led after 5 innings in each of their last nine Friday games as favorites.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Red Sox’s last nine games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Pirates’ last six night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Red Sox’s last eight games at PNC Park.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the last six night games between the Red Sox and Pirates at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games as home underdogs.
- Bubba Chandler has recorded a win in each of his three previous home appearances against AL opponents.
- Bubba Chandler has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last seven home games.
- Nick Gonzales ranks T4th in the league in Hits (137) this season.
Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
- Ceddanne Rafaela has hit at least one home run in each of the Red Sox’s last three games against NL opponents.
- Jake Bennett has recorded a win in six of his last eight appearances.
- Jake Bennett has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one hit in each of the Red Sox’s last 16 road games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Willson Contreras ranks 6th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.389) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1090).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1159).
- The Red Sox rank 1st in the league for runs allowed this season (452).
- The Red Sox rank 3rd in the league for doubles this season (217).
Pirates vs Red Sox Prediction
Boston snapped their losing streak with a win on Thursday, but they had really struggled in the previous five games. The Red Sox are 36-25 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 30-30 at home. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four games and they have scored two runs or fewer in all three of those losses. The Pirates are starting Chandler, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Bennett has allowed 3+ earned runs in four straight. Take the Pirates here.