Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction: Can Jared Jones, Pirates Start Hot?
The Philadelphia Phillies host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a four-game series, playing Game 1 tonight. Can Jared Jones and the Pirates start hot? Krabs shares his Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies prediction and pick.
Krabs - April 11, 2024, 4:38 PM EDT
5 minPittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction: Can Jared Jones, Pirates Start Hot?
It’s been a slow start for the Philadelphia Phillies this season. They are currently playing .500 baseball, but their offense has yet to fully put it all together. They will have a tough assignment against one of the best young arms in baseball on Thursday night. Will Bryce Harper and the Phillies’ bats get going against Pittsburgh, or will the red-hot Pirates win the first game of this in-state series?
Pirates vs. Phillies DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: April 11, 2024
- Start Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction
The Pirates are coming off a loss against the Tigers in their last game, but they had the day off yesterday. A rest day could be exactly what David Bednar and the Pirates needed after blowing a two run lead in the top of the ninth inning on Tuesday. Their closer has been extremely shaky to start the season, one of their only weaknesses up to this point. That’s why I will be isolating the first half of this ballgame. I don’t want to deal with their of these struggling bullpens until they figure it out.
The Phillies’ bats have yet to wake up this season, and a matchup against Jared Jones won’t make their lives any easier. The 22-year-old righty has looked great against the Marlins and Orioles in his first two starts of his career. He’s accumulated 17 strikeouts in less than 12 innings of work. The Phillies are in for a tough night against the promising young arm on Thursday.
Ranger Suarez hasn’t looked quite like his normal self yet through his first two starts of the 2024 season. A matchup against a high-scoring Pirates offense that (besides Oneil Cruz) prefers facing left-handed pitching could be trouble for the Phillies veteran. I’m expecting this underrated Pirates lineup to show up early and often on Thursday night against Suarez and the struggling Phillies.
More than 60% of the bets (on VSIN) are currently backing the Phillies to win this game, but the odds on the Pirates ML have nearly cut in half. Pittsburgh moved from (+135) underdogs to (+115) underdogs with more bets coming-in on the Phillies. This reverse line movement is a great sign for Pirates backers. Pittsburgh is clearly the sharp side in this contest…
Back the Pirates to either win or keep this game tied through the first five innings on Thursday. I like their matchup against Suarez and the Phillies are overvalued early-on this season. Pittsburgh might blow this game late, but they will keep this game competitive early.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies Pick
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