MLB Betting Lines for the Initial Game of the Weekend Series between Pirates and Phillies, Held in Philadelphia
The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a heartbreaking loss in their last game against Detroit, surrendering a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning to fall 5-3. This defeat comes as no surprise, given the team's current struggles and the recent struggles of their closer, David Bednar.
Bednar's command issues have been a concern for the Pirates, with his pitching control seemingly off-kilter. This has manifested in walking batters and missing the strike zone, leading to less effectiveness and potential losses in close games.
Despite the Pirates' overall losing record of around 55-74 and their fifth place standing in the National League Central, they have been favoured in certain games, such as against the Colorado Rockies, with a moneyline of -169 and a slight run line advantage. However, their mixed betting history as favourites, with a success rate of just 50%, suggests some inconsistency in performance relative to betting expectations.
This inconsistency, coupled with Bednar's command struggles, could make the Pirates less reliable in close or high-leverage games. Bettors might want to exercise caution when placing bets on Pittsburgh, especially in close games or where bullpen performance is crucial.
In the upcoming game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Jared Jones, a rookie right-hander, will start for the Pirates. Jones demonstrated promise in his last start, giving up two runs on six hits over six innings, striking out seven without walking a batter.
However, the Pirates' chances might be affected by the uncertain status of JT Realmuto, the Philadelphia Phillies' All-Star catcher, who is dealing with a bruised neck.
Interestingly, Suarez has a favourable record against the Pittsburgh Pirates, boasting a 2-0 record and a 2.25 ERA in six career appearances (three starts).
Despite these challenges, the Pirates have started the season strongly, leading the NL Central with a record of 9-3. However, the team's success has been uneven, with Edward Olivares, who hit a pair of solo homers in Tuesday's loss, being benched for five of the team's 12 games.
In conclusion, while the exact reasons for Bednar's command issues are not fully understood, his struggles could negatively impact the Pirates' bullpen reliability, injecting uncertainty into betting outcomes. Bettors should weigh this alongside the Pirates’ overall uneven performance this season before making decisions.
