The San Diego Padres and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Wednesday in MLB action from PNC Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. In the Tuesday opener, the Pirates bagged a five-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

San Diego Padres 

The Padres played the Nationals over the weekend, losing two of three games. In the Tuesday opener versus the Pirates, San Diego had a brief lead 3-0 early but ultimately fell 9-4. Reiss Knehr went 2.0 innings with five earned on six hits and two walks in the start. 

For the starter job in game two, it’ll be Blake Snell. In his 15 starts this year Snell is 4-6 with a 3.22 ERA and 104 Ks in 81.0 innings. Snell is 61-52 with a 3.39 ERA in 174 career starts. 

Pittsburgh Pirates 

Over on the Pittsburgh side, they managed just one win in four games versus the Marlins over the weekend. On Tuesday the Pirates posted a whopping 16 team hits. Rich Hill lasted 6.0 innings with four earned on nine hits and a pair of walks. 

It’ll be Mitch Keller in the starting role for Pittsburgh on Wednesday. In his 16 starts this year Keller is 8-3 with a 3.45 ERA and 113 Ks in 99.0 innings. Keller is 20-32 with a 4.64 career ERA in 86 games (84 starts). 

The Padres are 5-2 in their last seven in game two of a series and 2-5 in their last seven Wednesday games. The under is 10-1 in San Diego’s last 11 Wednesday games. 

Meanwhile, the Pirates are 25-56 in their last 81 Wednesday games and 17-41 in their last 58 in game two of a series. The under is 9-2 in Pittsburgh’s last 11 in game two of a series. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with the Padres here. Snell is pitching great these days. In his last three starts combined, Snell is 2-0 with one earned run in 19.0 combined innings on eight hits and three walks. Keller is doing well himself; he’s gone 7.0 innings with one earned in two of his last three starts. On Tuesday San Diego got at least one hit from all but two batters (Fernando Tatis and Juan Soto) and had a mixed bag on the mound at best. Still, I think the Padres can bounce back and bag a victory in game two.