The Philadelphia Phillies will be squaring off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and this NL matchup will be televised on either ATPT or NSPA.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
The Pirates are 40-48 straight up (SU) and 39-48 against the spread (ATS). The teams lost 9.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 12.2 units (ATS). Pittsburgh has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. The Phillies are 49-37 SU and have gone 38-47 ATS. Overall, the teams gained 11.7 units for moneyline gamblers, but have lost 16.3 units ATS. Philadelphia has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Pirates games have had an over/under record of 43-37-7 so far in 2018. Philadelphia has an over/under record of 38-43-4.
Right-hander Drew Anderson is projected to start for the visiting Phillies. Anderson has yet to pitch in the majors this season.
The Pirates will turn to righty Nick Kingham (2-4, 4.70 ERA), who has 37 strikeouts and 10 walks to his credit as well as a WHIP of 1.20. Kingham did not pitch in the majors last season.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 4.8 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.50, a WHIP of 1.30 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 4.54 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 9.8 K/9.
The Pittsburgh hitters have put up 4.4 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .249/.286/.382 over its last five games and is 0-5 SU during that span.
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte have paced the Pirates batters this year. Dickerson is hitting .308/.342/.461 with six home runs, 34 RBIs and 35 runs scored, while Marte’s line sits at .275/.326/.456 with 10 homers, 38 RBIs, 46 runs and 21 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Philadelphia’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.11 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.09, along with a K/9 of 9.61.
The Phillies offense has slashed .237/.324/.397 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.8 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the teams last five outings (5-0 SU).
Right fielder Odubel Herrera and second baseman Cesar Hernandez continue to lead Philadelphia’s offense. Herrera is slashing .280/.333/.470 with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs and 44 runs scored, while Hernandez (.267/.378/.383) is up to eight homers, 28 RBIs, 61 runs and 13 steals.
The Phillies have gained 10.6 units and are 29-35 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 28 of those games, compared to 33 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 1.5 units and are 30-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 28 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve gone under.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- Philadelphia has tallied 16 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Pittsburgh has 14 XBH over its last five.
- The Phillies have won eight of their last nine games SU while the Pirates have lost six of their last seven.
- Pittsburgh has posted 21.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.2 over its last five.
- The Phillies have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit nine over their last 10.
