Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers Free Preview

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The Detroit Tigers will look to avoid their fourth straight loss as they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. This interleague showdown begins at 6:40 p.m. ET and fans can watch the game on ATPT and FSDT.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Detroit Tigers Odds

Detroit (-110) is hosting this one as the favorite against Pittsburgh (+100) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this night game at 8.5 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at -210 for the Pirates +1.5 runs and +175 for the Tigers -1.5 runs.

The Pirates are 8-6 SU and are 9-5 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 4.0 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 2.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Tigers, on the other hand, are 8-7 SU and 9-6 ATS. The team’s gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors and 1.2 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

Detroit games have an over/under record of 4-11 thus far in 2019. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 6-8.

The right-handed Joe Musgrove (1-1, 0.00 ERA) will get the ball for the visiting Bucs. Musgrove started 19 games last year and finished the season 6-9 overall with a 4.06 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.

The Tigers are turning to lefty Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.60 ERA), who recorded 159 strikeouts across 170 innings last year (with only 51 walks). Boyd finished the season 9-13 overall with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

Detroit’s pitching staff has given up 3.3 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.32, a WHIP of 1.14 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 2.44 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 8.4 K/9.

The Detroit hitters have put up 2.7 runs per contest, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .237/.283/.364 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.

Miguel Cabrera and Niko Goodrum have led the Tigers’ hitters so far. Cabrera is slashing .259/.365/.278 with 14 hits, three RBIs and three runs scored, while Goodrum is hitting .293 with 12 hits, six RBIs and five runs.

In the visiting dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 1.98 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8.71 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.97, along with a K/9 of 11.71.

The Pirates offense has slashed .241/.318/.381 on its way to 3.6 runs scored per game this year, including 3.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).

First baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Melky Cabrera have led Pittsburgh’s offense. Bell is slashing .314/.390/.627 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and nine runs scored, while Cabrera (.390/.405/.537) has produced one homers, four RBIs and four runs scored.

The Pirates have lost 0.2 units and are 1-2 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to one that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Tigers have netted 3.6 units and are 9-6 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in four of those games, compared to 11 that went under.

Pirates at Tigers Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • Pittsburgh has logged 15 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Detroit has 14 XBH over its last five.
  • The Pirates have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
  • The Pirates have a total OPS of .698 this season, including an OPS of .570 against left-handed pitchers. The Tigers’ OPS stands at .597 overall and .615 against southpaws.
  • Detroit has posted 18.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.0 over its last five.
  • The Tigers have lost four of their last five games SU.