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MLB Betting: Pittsburgh Pirates at Cleveland Indians
Two of the most surprising teams in Major League Baseball meet up this weekend, with the Pittsburgh Pirates visiting the Cleveland Indians for the middle game of a three-game series at Progressive Field. Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (PT).
Pittsburgh entered the set trailing the front-running Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central standings by three games and tied with Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington for the best record in the National League this month (10-5).
The Pirates completed their first three-game sweep of the season against the Astros Thursday afternoon, improving their record to 20-15 away from home, after posting a major league-low 17 road wins in 2010.
Tonight serves as the second of 12 straight games against the American League, the Pirates coming in with a 2-1 interleague record this year after taking two of three at home against Detroit. Pittsburgh hopes its recent play can improve upon having baseball’s worst interleague winning percentage (.377) since 1997.
Pirates starting pitcher Paul Maholm (3-7, 3.12 ERA) brings in a 13-inning scoreless streak and has allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his 14 starts. Pittsburgh has registered victories in three of his last four starts after dropping nine of his first 10 outings to open the year.
Maholm is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts versus the Indians, receiving a no-decision in the club’s 3-2, 10-inning loss at Cleveland on May 21, 2006 in his only appearance at Progressive Field. The southpaw has limited experience against current Indians’ batters, but has held outfielder Grady Sizemore hitless in three career at-bats against him.
Cleveland finished off a seven-game road trip with a 2-5 record and hopes to continue its strong play at home to turn things around. The Indians open the series with a 20-12 home mark, which has netted bettors a solid 8.67 units of profit.
The Indians offense continues to falter with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8 on Thursday, leaving nine runners on base. Total backers have caught on with the ‘under’ cashing in three of the club’s last four games.
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.09 ERA) has posted consecutive 1-0 victories despite the offense’s scoring woes, tossing 15 1/3 shutout innings and scattering eight hits against the Twins and Yankees.
Carrasco still hopes to pitch better at home, coming in with a 2-3 record and 5.63 ERA in five starts at Progressive Field compared to a perfect 4-0 mark and 2.88 ERA in seven road outings.
The 2011 season marks the third consecutive year that the two clubs have squared off, with the Pirates winning two of three in both instances. The ‘under’ is 4-2 over those contests.
Weather forecasts suggest game-time highs in the mid-70s and a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms throughout. Winds out of the northeast are expected to be minimal (in from right).
Two of the most surprising teams in Major League Baseball meet up this weekend, with the Pittsburgh Pirates visiting the Cleveland Indians for the middle game of a three-game series at Progressive Field. Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (PT).
Pittsburgh entered the set trailing the front-running Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central standings by three games and tied with Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington for the best record in the National League this month (10-5).
The Pirates completed their first three-game sweep of the season against the Astros Thursday afternoon, improving their record to 20-15 away from home, after posting a major league-low 17 road wins in 2010.
Tonight serves as the second of 12 straight games against the American League, the Pirates coming in with a 2-1 interleague record this year after taking two of three at home against Detroit. Pittsburgh hopes its recent play can improve upon having baseball’s worst interleague winning percentage (.377) since 1997.
Pirates starting pitcher Paul Maholm (3-7, 3.12 ERA) brings in a 13-inning scoreless streak and has allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his 14 starts. Pittsburgh has registered victories in three of his last four starts after dropping nine of his first 10 outings to open the year.
Maholm is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts versus the Indians, receiving a no-decision in the club’s 3-2, 10-inning loss at Cleveland on May 21, 2006 in his only appearance at Progressive Field. The southpaw has limited experience against current Indians’ batters, but has held outfielder Grady Sizemore hitless in three career at-bats against him.
Cleveland finished off a seven-game road trip with a 2-5 record and hopes to continue its strong play at home to turn things around. The Indians open the series with a 20-12 home mark, which has netted bettors a solid 8.67 units of profit.
The Indians offense continues to falter with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-8 on Thursday, leaving nine runners on base. Total backers have caught on with the ‘under’ cashing in three of the club’s last four games.
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.09 ERA) has posted consecutive 1-0 victories despite the offense’s scoring woes, tossing 15 1/3 shutout innings and scattering eight hits against the Twins and Yankees.
Carrasco still hopes to pitch better at home, coming in with a 2-3 record and 5.63 ERA in five starts at Progressive Field compared to a perfect 4-0 mark and 2.88 ERA in seven road outings.
The 2011 season marks the third consecutive year that the two clubs have squared off, with the Pirates winning two of three in both instances. The ‘under’ is 4-2 over those contests.
Weather forecasts suggest game-time highs in the mid-70s and a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms throughout. Winds out of the northeast are expected to be minimal (in from right).
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