Free MLB Pick: Pirates vs Rangers Odds
Looking for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers free picks? MLB betting sees the Pirates taking on the Rangers on Friday, May 27th at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions.
(24-22) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers (28-18)
Date: Friday May 27, 2016
Time: 8:05 PM ET
Venue: Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas
Projected Pitchers: Jon Niese vs Cole Hamels
MLB Moneyline Odds: -132
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: Off
MLB Betting Total: 9.5
Live MLB Odds
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For TodayClick here to view… MLB Stats & Expert MLB Betting Insight for this game!
This game features an interleague matchup with two lefties facing off against each other on the mound… so everything about this game is backwards.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The two young OF in Pittsburgh appear to have realized their once top prospect statuses and have grown into star players with the Pirates.
Starling Marte, 27, and Gregory Polanco, 24, are leading the Pirates offense this season, Marte contributing 14 SBs and a .316 BA and Polanco with .314 BA, 29 RBI and a .399 OBP.
Superstar Andrew McCutchen hasn’t looked like himself thus far, hitting just .254 with 8 HRs on the season and only 1 SB.
However, this is arguably the best OF in all of baseball, especially once McCutchen returns to form.
Jon Niese has earned 3 quality starts in his past 3 outings, including a one run performance over seven innings against the Rockies last Saturday. He faces a decent Texas lineup that features stud rookie call-up Nomar Mazara and his .320 BA and 8 HR.
The Rangers are also 16-8 at home and have scored 131 of their 208 Runs on the season at Globe Life Park.
Niese hasn’t faired well against the long-ball this season, allowing 11 in his 53 IP and Arlington and the desert heat is park known for it.
Texas Rangers
As mentioned, the Rangers have been dominant at home this season with a 16-8 record and a .277 team average in Arlington.
Nomar Mazara has been a revelation for Texas since being called up and started in place of Delino DeShields.
His 8 HR, .320 BA and .365 OBP all lead Rangers hitters this year. After a strong season last year where Prince Fielder hit .305 and 23 HR, he has looked like a shell of himself early on in 2016 with a .193 BA and just 2 HR.
The offense as a whole sits 7th in Runs with 218.
Cole Hamels is 12-0 with a 2.99 ERA in his past 19 starts, and enters the game with a 5-0 record on the season.
Needless to say, it seems he enjoys Texas after coming over from the Phillies last season, in spite of it being a hitters’ park.
In 9 career matchups against the Pirates, Hamels sports a 2.43 ERA and a 3-2 record overall.
He also leads the Rangers in strikeouts with 62, including 11 in his last outing versus the Houston Astros.
He will have a tougher task facing a Pirates team that has hit .279 with 10 HR against LHP this year though.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Pittsburgh is 12-10 on the road
- the Pirates are 8-2 in their last 10 games
- Hamels has not allowed more than 3 runs in his past 4 starts
- Texas is 16-8 at home this year
- The Rangers are 6-4 in their past 10
Free Pittsburgh Pirates vs Texas Rangers MLB Prediction:
Texas faces a tough challenge topping the 2nd place Pirates and their formidable offense. Cole Hamels is taking the hill however and should be able to outduel his counterpart in LHP Jon Niese.
This should prove to be a tight matchup, with the offense favoring the Pirates and the pitching the Rangers.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Under 9.5
I like the Rangers here based on the pitching matchup and also like betting Under 9.5 at -121.
MLB Free Score Prediction: Texas 5-4
If you’re looking for more picks like this Pittsburgh Pirates vs Texas Rangers we’ll be providing 4* free MLB plays on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free MLB Baseball picks!
Check out our Updated MLB Betting Odds.
