MLB Predictions: Will Giants & Pirates turn into pitcher’s duel? 6/30/17
Will tonight’s matchup between the Giants and Pirates turn into a pitcher’s duel at 7:05PM ET?
The Matchup: Giants vs. Pirates, 7:05PM ET, PNC Park
San Francisco enters play on a three-game winning streak but is still just 30-51 on the year. The Gaints have also dropped six of 10 overall and are a brutal 13-30 on the road.
As for Pittsburgh, the Pirates took two of three against the Rays after dropping the first game of the series. The Bucs are also 6-4 over their last 10 games and are 21-19 at home despite being just 37-42 on the year.
According to oddsmakers, the Pirates are -125 money line favorites for tonight’s game. That makes the Giants a +105 money line underdog to pull off the small upset. The total, meanwhile, is sitting at 8.5 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Johnny Cueto (SFG) vs. Gerrit Cole (PIT)
Cueto has thrown 100 2/3 innings on the year and owns a 5-7 record. His 4.20 ERA is higher than usual, but he’s coming off back-to-back solid outings. In his last start, Cueto allowed just one run while scattering five hits over seven innings. He took a no-decision in that 5-2 loss to the Mets.
Cole, meanwhile, is 6-6 on the year and owns a 4.11 ERA over 96 1/3 innings. He faced the Cardinals in St. Louis in his last start and picked up a win. He allowed just one run on five hits while pitching six innings. Cole also struck out five batters and walked one while allowing one home run.
Our Prediction
The under is 3-1-2 in the Giants’ last six road games and is 4-1 in Cueto’s last five starts versus National League Central opponents. On the other side, the under is a perfect 5-0 in the Pirates’ last five home games. Furthermore, the under is 12-4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 17 games overall.
Friday MLB Prediction: Giants/Pirates under 8.5
