The Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Sunday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pirates vs Reds Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Cincinnati Reds will start Zack Littell here and Littell is 9-8 with a 3.46 ERA and 97 strikeouts this season. This will be Littell’s first career start against the Pirates. Mike Burrows will get the nod for the Pirates here and is 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA and 63 strikeouts this season. This will be Burrows’ first career start against the Reds.
Cincinnati Reds Recap
The Cincinnati Reds come into this game looking to add on to their 2-1 win over the Pirates on Saturday to improve to 61-57 on the year. After this series, the Reds will head on the road for a series against the Phillies.
Reds Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
Elly De La Cruz has 123 hits with 19 home runs, 73 RBIs, 24 doubles and 30 stolen bases while TJ Friedl has 111 hits with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 37 RBIs with 10 stolen bases. Gavin Lux has added 86 hits with 18 doubles and 42 RBIs while Spencer Steer has 13 home runs and 50 RBIs and Matt McLain has added 11 homers, 38 RBIs and 16 stolen bases as well on the year. Jose Trevino’s also chipped in 19 doubles as well this season.
Why the Cincinnati Reds will win
- The Reds have won six of their last seven day games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have lost four of their last five Sunday games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in four of the last five games between the Reds and Pirates.
Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts
- Jake Fraley has hit a home run in three of his last nine appearances with the Reds as underdogs against the Pirates.
- Jose Trevino has recorded at least one Double in four of his last five appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 Sunday appearances at PNC Park.
- Elly De La Cruz ranks T6th in the league in Steals (30) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to rebound from their loss at the hands of the Reds on Saturday to slip to 51-67 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head on the road for a set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pirates Split Last Ten Games
Bryan Reynolds has 100 hits with 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs while also posting 124 strikeouts so far this season. Oneil Cruz has posted a team-high 18 home runs and 48 RBIs with 34 stolen bases while Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 90 hits with 14 doubles and 14 stolen bases. Cruz also has a team-high 138 strikeouts as well this season. Tommy Pham has 12 doubles and Andrew McCutchen has 90 hits with 16 doubles as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Reds have lost each of their last 11 day games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Pirates have won 14 of their last 15 home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last 10 games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line each of their last six games against teams that held a losing record.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in five of the Pirates’ last eight games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in day games.
- Oneil Cruz ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (34) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Reds’ last 11 day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Pirates’ last nine day games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Pirates vs Reds Prediction
I’m leaning towards the Pirates in this game. The Reds have been playing some decent baseball, and Littell looked good in his Reds debut. However, Littell’s also had a huge tendency to give up a lot of home runs this season, and the Pirates have still been a fairly solid team since the all-star break. I think this is a spot where the Pirates are favored in this spot for a reason, so I’ll roll with Pittsburgh at home in this one.