Padres vs Pirates MLB Odds, Betting Analysis & Expert Pick

The hottest pitcher in baseball right now is San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, who two starts ago threw a no-hitter and has been nearly untouchable in four straight outings.

He’s back on the mound Tuesday night as the Friars open a series in Pittsburgh as solid favorites on the MLB odds according to MyBookie Sportsbook.

Opening MLB Lines: Padres -155, Pirates +140 (total 8)
Score Prediction: Padres 5, Pirates 3

San Diego Padres Moneyline -169

The Padres have been one of the best teams in baseball since the All-Star break and have moved into a virtual tie for the NL’s top wild-card spot – they are most likely not catching the LA Dodgers for first place in the NL West.

Padres’ Streak

San Diego is on a roll, winning five straight series and going 11-3 since the break. Jurickson Profar had a stellar performance with a solo homer, a double, a walk, and three runs on Sunday, continuing his impressive season.

He has six multi-hit games in his last 12 and is hitting .319 with five homers, 12 RBI, and 11 runs in that span.

Overall, he is batting .300 with 19 homers, 71 RBI, 63 runs, and five steals, making him one of 13 players hitting over .300.

Xander Bogaerts

Bogaerts had a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with a steal and two runs scored in the Padres’ win. He is staying hot at the plate since returning from a fractured left shoulder on July 12, recording multiple hits in 10 games out of 16 played.

Bogaerts has a .438/.456/.578 slash line with a homer, seven RBI, 10 runs, and two steals during this time.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

All-Star outfielder Tatis Jr. remains without a timetable to return.

Tatis underwent an MRI during last month’s All-Star break, which revealed enough healing that he was cleared for light baseball activities, including swinging and running, but it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return.

The 25-year-old has been out since late June due to a stress reaction in his right femur.

Dylan Cease on the Mound

Ace righty Cease (11-8) takes the hill Tuesday. He wasn’t able to follow up his July 25 no-hitter at Washington last Wednesday vs. the Dodgers, but was still very good again, allowing a run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers.

Cease’s chance at consecutive no-hitters didn’t get far, as he allowed a single to Jason Heyward in the second inning. That snapped a string of 46 plate appearances by opposing batters without a hit against Cease.

The Dodgers only scored on Gavin Lux’s RBI double in the third inning. The padres provided their ace with run support.

His command was not as sharp as in the previous three-start stretch, with two hits allowed.

Over his last 34.2 innings, Cease has allowed only four runs with a 44:11 K:BB ratio and four consecutive wins.

In 23 starts this year, he has a 3.42 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 174:43 K:BB ratio. Cease is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA in two career games against Pittsburgh.

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MyBookie MLB Wager Lines to Win Today

Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline +143

The Padres are the only National League team the Pirates haven’t faced yet in 2023. Pittsburgh went 5-1 against the Padres in 2023, which included a three-game sweep at PNC Park from June 27-29.

Pirates’ Review

Pittsburgh remains in the NL wild-card race, just outside the top spots. The Pirates suffered a tough loss to Arizona, blowing a 4-0 lead with ace Paul Skenes pitching.

Joc Pederson’s three-run homer in the seventh inning led the Diamondbacks to victory, spoiling Skenes’ strong performance.

Pederson’s hit off Holderman raised his season ERA from 1.21 to 3.07.

Despite Holderman’s recent struggles with a 7.94 ERA in his last 12 appearances, Pirates manager Shelton stood by his decision to keep him in the game.

Holderman was one strike away from ending the inning, but ultimately allowed seven earned runs in his last 3 1/3 innings.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Trade acquisition Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBI and a run scored in the loss.

Isiah made his team debut Saturday after a deal from Toronto and went hitless, though he turned things around as a key contributor out of the leadoff spot Sunday. He replaced Andrew McCutchen (quadriceps) atop the order.

Kiner-Falefa hit sixth in his debut, indicating he may settle in the middle of the order.

McCutchen, not expected to be out for long, pinch-hit and scored from second base on a single without being pinch-run for.

He is one RBI away from 800 in his career with the Pirates, making him one of just seven players in team history to achieve this milestone since 1920.

Bailey Falter on the Hill

It’s lefty Falter on the mound here. Falter (5-7) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Astros last Tuesday.

Falter missed most of July while recovering from left triceps tendinitis. He was good in his return, though he allowed a home run to Yainer Diaz.

Bailey threw 47 of his 66 pitches for strikes and now has a 3.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 64:28 K:BB through 95.2 innings over 18 starts this season. Those starts are already a career high.

Falter will be making his third career appearance against the Padres — his other two came in 2021 while pitching for the Phillies. He has allowed three runs and three hits in just 1.2 innings vs. San Diego.

Meanwhile, closer David Bednar has converted each of his last 19 save opportunities, which is the fourth-longest active streak in MLB.

Bet Padres at Pirates MLB Odds

When: Tuesday, 6:40 PM ET
Where: PNC Park
Pitchers (away/home): Dylan Cease/Bailey Falter
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/game day audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/