The Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Pirates-Brewers prediction and pick.
The Brew Crew took Game 1 by the score of 4-3. The game ended in wild fashion as Pirates' Kevin Newman was thrown out at home to end the ballgame. Daniel Vogalback singled to right field and score a run to bring them within one, but the third base coach decided to send Newman home even though the throw beat him by a mile. That was a tough way to lose, as one more hit could have changed the game entirely for the Pirates. Game two should be a good one.
Here are the Pirates-Brewers MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Pirates-Brewers Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates: +1.5 (+100)
Milwaukee Brewers: -1.5 (-120)
Over: 7.5 (-108)
Under: 7.5 (-112)
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Why The Pirates Could Cover The Spread
Zach Thompson will get the nod this evening for the Pirates. He's a middle-of-the-pack pitcher this season with a (3-6) record and 4.42 ERA in 59 innings pitched. There isn't anything that has been eye-opening for Thompson this season, however, he ahsn't allowed more than two runs in each of his last five starts. In fact, he allowed exactly two runs in four of his last five and didn't allow more than four hits. Thompson has picked up the pace and has seemed to figure out his strengths. If he can give the Pirates another solid five innings, they will have a great chance at covering this spread.
The offense is a whole other problem. They are struggling to score runs on a consistent basis. In July, the Bucs have only scored seven runs in a game once and haven't scored more than five in any other game. It's not going to get any easier for them either, as they will take on the Miami Marlins in a four-game series after this series with the Brewers finish up. The Marlins own one of the best rotations in all of baseball.
Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes are doing their best to keep the offensive alive. Oneil Cruz is struggling to get on base even though he showcases his power almost every time he bats. If those three players can get going tonight, then the Pirates should be in this game.
Why The Brewers Could Cover The Spread
On the bump for the Brew Crew is right-hander Brandon Woodruff. Per usual, Woodruff is electric this season with a (7-3) record and 3.95 ERA in 54 innings pitched. He missed some time this season with an injury, but is back and ready to help take the pressure off of CY Young candidate Corbin Burnes. Despite all the missed time, Woodruff still has 71 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.13. Look for Woodruff to do his thing once again.
After scoring a phenomenal 19 runs against the Pirates on July 1, the offense has slowed down just a tad. The team only scored five runs once but are (3-3) since that great game. It's crazy to think about all the injuries this team has dealt with this year. Yet, they still rank among the top teams in all of baseball despite the constant change.
Christian Yelich leads the team in ABs and it's hard to believe with all the time he has missed over the last few seasons. Nobody in the lineup is batting over .300 this year and most are actually in the low .220-range. It's been the elite pitching that has kept them on track and that should be how they cover this spread again tonight.
Final Pirates-Brewers Prediction & Pick
As they should, the oddsmakers are very confident in Milwaukee tonight. This should be a lock as the Brewers have control over the Pirates right now. Take the Brew Crew to cover this spread at home.
Final Pirates-Brewers Prediction & Pick: Brewers -1.5 (-120)
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