The Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Saturday in MLB action from PNC Park. Here’s a Red Sox vs Pirates prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
The Red Sox played the Cleveland Guardians in their last series. Boston was only able to win one of those games (2-0 on Wednesday). On Friday versus Pittsburgh, the Sox powered out a dominant 8-1 victory. Rob Refsnyder (two RBI; two runs), Wilyer Abreu (two runs; three hits) and Triston Casas each had a homer.
In the starter role for the Saturday game, the Red Sox will send out Kutter Crawford. Over his four starts this year Crawford has a 0.42 ERA without a decision. He’s got 24 Ks in 21.1 innings. Crawford is 9-15 with a 4.34 career ERA in 57 games (40 starts).
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over on the Pirates’ side, they took on the New York Mets in their last series and got swept over three games. In the Friday matchup Pittsburgh was out-hit 12-4 and couldn’t score until the final inning. Quinn Priester lasted 4.1 frames in the start with four earned, seven hits and a walk.
It’ll be Mitch Keller’s turn in the rotation for the Saturday game. Across his four starts this year Keller is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 21 Ks in 24.0 innings. Keller has a career record of 27-39 with a 4.70 ERA in 106 games (104 starts).
Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the last five games between the Red Sox and Pirates.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games as home favorites against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three day games.
- The Pirates have lost the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Red Sox and Pirates at PNC Park.
Boston Red Sox Team Facts
- The Red Sox have lost each of their last six games against National League opponents following a road win.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against National League opponents following a road win.
- The Red Sox have won the first inning in each of their last five games as underdogs.
- The Red Sox have led after 7 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Red Sox have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six day games against National League opponents.
Red Sox vs Pirates Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Red Sox in this one. Crawford is pitching very well this year, and this will be a good opportunity to bag his first win. In his last two starts combined Crawford has zero earned on four hits and four walks in 10.2 innings. As for Keller, he’s not doing to badly himself over his last pair with 13.0 innings, four earned and a 2-0 record.
On Friday the Red Sox had an impressive offensive outing. Every batter except for Jarren Duran (0-for-5) had at least one hit, and three players had multiple hits. The pitching was also very solid overall with just four hits and two walks allowed. I like Boston to keep it going on Saturday. Should be a closer game.