The struggling Cincinnati Reds will try to avoid losing their sixth straight game as they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. The matchup gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET and you can watch the game on both ATPT and FSOH.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
Vegas has put equal moneyline odds (-105) on both of these teams. The total sits at nine runs and bettors can wager on the over for -105 or the under for -115. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds coming in at Pirates -1.5 runs (+140) and Reds +1.5 runs (-160).
The Pirates have gone 80-78 SU this year and are 77-80 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 5.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline, despite having lost 11.6 units ATS. The Reds, on the other hand, are 66-93 SU and 88-71 ATS. They’ve lost 14.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 2.9 units ATS.
Cincinnati games have had an over/under record of 76-78-5 in 2018. Pittsburgh has been a decent under bet with a total record of 69-78-10.
The right-handed Nick Kingham will get the nod for the visiting Bucs. Kingham (5-7, 5.23 ERA) has recorded 66 strikeouts in 72.1 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA against Cincinnati this year.
The Reds will send righty Anthony DeSclafani (7-7, 4.91 ERA) to the mound. DeSclafani has 102 punchouts and 29 walks to his name, as well as a 1.31 WHIP. DeSclafani is 1-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA across two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
As a unit, Cincinnati’s pitching staff has given up 5.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.13 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 8.0 K/9. In 73 games against divisional foes, Reds starters have an ERA of 5.32 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.08.
The Cincinnati offense has put up 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 1.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .167/.215/.247 over its last five matchups and is 0-5 SU during that span.
Scooter Gennett has helped lead the Reds’ offense this year with 23 home runs, 92 RBIs and 86 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.98 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.61 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.08, along with a K-per-9 of 9.43.
The Pirates offense has slashed .253/.320/.406 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Starling Marte has sparked Pittsburgh’s offense and is hitting .274/.323/.450 with 19 home runs, 71 RBIs, 77 runs and 33 stolen bases.
The Pirates just lost a 3-0 game to the Cubs, while the Reds are coming off of a 6-1 loss against the Royals.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Reds, O/U – OVER
