D-Backs vs Pirates Baseball Picks
The start of this series for Arizona has been more of the same kind of disappointment they have been experiencing all season long.
Arizona Diamondbacks (35-50) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (43-40)
Wednesday July 2
PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA
7:05PM
Probable Pitchers:
ARZ: Chase Anderson (R)
PIT: Charlie Morton (R)
Moneyline: Pittsburgh -148, Arizona +138
Total: 7.5
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Arizona
In the opener they were up 2-0 before blowing it in the 9th by giving up 3 runs. The Diamondbacks were not expected to be front runners this season but both their pitching and hitting have been lacking all season long.
Were it not for the slugging of Paul Goldschmidt this team would be a complete disaster. Yesterday’s loss was the kind that can be tough to rebound from quickly.
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Chase Anderson is making his first go through the Majors and so far things have been very good – if he had enough innings to qualify he would be leading the team in ERA. He also seems to like pitching on the road better than at home which bodes well for this assignment even if his last two starts have been less than spectacular.
Assuming they have the stuff to begin with rookies often have a slight advantage facing clubs for the first time.
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Pittsburgh
Things are finally starting to come around for the Pirates. After last night’s comeback win in the 9th they have have 8 of their last 10 putting them just a game behind St. Louis for second in the NL Central.
I really like the acquisition of Ernesto Frieri from the Angels to close as this team looks to make a push. Now they just need to get a couple more bats going and hope that Francisco Liriano can really give them something when he comes back from the disabled list.
They have to keep their good feeling going.
Big Charlie Morton has a terrible record but solid peripherals this season. Pittsburgh has struggled to find its groove and as a result it has been hard to pick up wins despite an ERA of 3.49 and a hit rate below career norms.
In his last start Morton struck out a season high 11 Rays in another loss.
He has an ERA of just 2.22 at home this season but just a 2-3 record to show for it. He is having some hard luck this year.
I am looking for Pittsburgh to continue their winning ways against flailing Arizona. I feel like the total on this one was set a little low as even though both starting pitchers have been solid this season neither are really aces.
Even though Morton has good numbers 4 of his last 5 have gone over the total including 2 set at this number.
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Pittsburgh 6 – Arizona 3
