Pirates vs. Dodgers Free MLB Prediction + Pick

[Shame About Ray]

Terron Chapman
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) - Apr 15, 2008 10:10 PM EDT
Play: Total: 9/110 Over Pick Title: 2* Tuesday Free Play

The Pirates look to extend their winning streak to five games as they continue their series with LA Dodgers this evening and in my opinion oddsmakers have been slow to adjust the total for this game leaving us with another strong chance to cash a ticket on the over in this one.

Matt Morris takes the hill for the Pirates coming off a poor performance in which he gave up seven runs, four earned and eleven hits in a 7-3 home loss to the Cubs. Don't expect much of an improvement this evening as Morris has struggled historically with the Dodgers compiling a lifetime record of 4-5 in 13 starts with an era of 5.40. Four dodger regulars have an OPS above .800 against Matt Morris and will look to get their O going this evening.

Opposing Morris for the Dodgers will be southpaw Hong-Chih Kuo who will make his first start in nearly two weeks. In that start Kuo allowed one hit and three walks in three scoreless innings of a 2-1 loss. Kuo has started three games in his career off more than six days rest and in those games has amassed a record of 0-2 with a an era of 9.64. And in five career appearances against the Pirates Kuo is 0-3 with a 6.39 era. Not to mention Kuo has struggled in front of the Dodger faithful as well going 1-4 with a 5.12 era. I don't see Kuo slowing down the hot Pirate offense, nor do I anticipate a dominating performance by Matt Morris. Expect both pitchers to struggle early and often.

The over is 22-4 in the last 26 meetings between these two and 7-1 in the Pirates last 8 vs a left handed starter. The over is also 4-0 the last 4 meetings in LA and should exceed expectations this evening. I suggest a play of 2 units on the over.


Click here to view all of Terron Chapman's premium picks.