In this article, we will formulate a Reds vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 8th at the PNC Park in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 50-66 record this season and are sitting on the last place of the NL Central. They have a 33-27 home record, and are 48-65 in over/under. They are coming off a 7-0 home victory over the Reds, which ended their previous two-game losing streak. Over is 5-2 in their last 7 games and are playing the Brewers and the Cubs next.
The Pirates have a .233 batting average this season, .304 OBP and .347 slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 102 hits, and a team-high 54 RBI. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the team’s best hitter with a .270 batting average, while Oneil Cruz leads the team in home runs, with 18.
Mitch Keller (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 5-10 record, 3.89 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.
Cincinnati Reds Preview
The Cincinnati Reds have a 60-56 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL Central. The Reds have a 27-30 road record and are 41-69 in over/under. They are coming off a 0-7 road defeat by the Pirates, and have back-to-back losses. Under is 5-1 in their last 6 games and are playing the Phillies and the Brewers next.
The Reds have a .246 batting average this season, .318 OBP and .390 slugging percentage. Cincinnati’s pitching staff has a 3.89 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Elly De La Cruz leads the Reds with 124 hits, and in RBI, with 73, adding a team-high 19 home runs. He is also the team’s best hitter with a .279 batting average.
Chase Burns (R) will take the mound for the Reds, and he has a 0-3 record, 6.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last 13 home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Reds have lost each of their last six night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last eight games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Reds have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in nine of their last 10 home games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in nine of their last 10 home games against opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Cincinnati Reds will win
- The Pirates have lost five of their last six night games against the Reds following a home win.
- The Reds have won three of their last four night games against the Pirates following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games against the Reds following a win.
- The Reds have covered the run line in five of their last six night games against the Pirates following a loss.
- The Reds have led after 3 innings in each of their last five Friday games against the Pirates.
- The Reds have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight Friday games against the Pirates.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Reds’ last eight games as favorites against the Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Pirates’ last five games as underdogs against the Reds have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last four games as favorites against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Pirates’ last seven games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (414).
- The Pirates rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (83).
- The Reds rank 6th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.235).
- The Reds rank 6th in the league for hits allowed this season (907).
Reds vs Pirates Prediction
The Pirates have won their last three head-to-head meetings against the Reds, but the Reds are 4-3 in their 7 meetings this season. Under is 7-1-1 in their last 9 meetings.
In this Reds vs Pirates Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. Mitch Keller has been very good for the Pirates this season with a stellar 3.89 ERA, and he has won his last four starts. On the other hand, Burns has been terrible for the Reds; he has been getting lit up on the road, with a 9.28 road ERA, and has lost his last five starts. The Pirates have the upper hand while those two pitchers are on the mound, so give me the Pittsburgh Pirates on the moneyline in the first 5 innings of this game.