One of the most profitable pitchers in the majors this season has been surprising Pirates right-hander Jordan Lyles. He takes the mound Tuesday in Cincinnati, which hasn’t announced a starter as of this writing. Needless to say, that will affect the MLB odds.
How to Bet Pirates at Reds MLB Lines & Game Info
- When: Tuesday, 6:40 PM ET
- Where: Great American Ball Park
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Pittsburgh / Cincinnati
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Jordan Lyles/TBA
- Opening MLB Lines: TBA
Why Bet on Pittsburgh?
From 4/4-4/7, the Pittsburgh Pirates swept a 4-game series from the Reds for the first time since 7/11-7/14, 1991 at Riverfront Stadium and did it in Pittsburgh for the first time since 8/22-8/24, 1969 at Forbes Field.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said recently that Lonnie Chisenhall has continued soreness in his right calf. “He’s going to take some time here,” Huntington said. Chisenhall appears to be over the fractured right index finger that initially put him on the injured list, but it sounds like the calf will keep him out indefinitely. He was limited to just 29 games last season because of injuries to both calves.
On Sunday, the Bucs placed catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 7-day concussion injured list. It’s the sixth time that Cervelli has been on the DL/IL due to a concussion. Jacob Stallings has been called up to serve as Elias Diaz’s backup.
Josh Bell leads all Major League players in RBI (26) and ranks second in OPS (1.280) and slugging percentage (.824) during the month of May. His 10 home runs this month are tied with Houston’s Alex Bregman for the most in the Majors and are two shy of the club record for most homers hit in May (Jason Bay hit 12 in 2006). Aside from Bay and Bell, only five other Pittsburgh players have homered at least 10 times in May; Brian Giles (10 in 2000), Willie Stargell (10 in 1965), Bob Skinner (10 in 1959), Frank Thomas (10 in 1958) and Ralph Kiner (10 in 1948).
It’s Jordan Lyles (5-1, 2.81) on the mound. The 28-year-old righthander will be making his 10th start of the season. He won his fourth straight decision in his last start; a 14-6 victory over the Rockies at PNC Park last Thursday (5.2ip/7h/6r/6er/1bb/6so). The Pirates have gone 8-1 in his first nine starts. He has been charged with more than one earned three times in his first nine outings.
In his career against the Reds, Lyles is 4-1 with a 4.12 ERA (54.2ip/25er) in 15 career games (eight starts). He pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and received a no-decision in his Pirates debut on 4/4 at PNC Park. Lyles made three relief appearances (4.0ip/0r) in 2018 while pitching with Milwaukee. He has a 1.33 ERA (20.1ip/3er) in his last eight games against the Reds and has gone 4-1 with a 4.27 ERA (46.1ip/22er) in his eight starts.
Why Bet on Cincinnati?
The teams played a doubleheader Monday so that’s why the Cincinnati Reds pitcher is TBA for this one. The team could go with a bullpen day or bring up a minor leaguer. “That’s exactly it,” Manager David Bell said.
Starting pitcher Alex Wood has resumed flat-ground throwing. The hope is that he can get back on a mound within the next week and then possibly begin a minor league rehab assignment sometime in early June. Wood has been out all season with a lingering back injury and probably won’t be an option for the Reds’ rotation until July.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett is also on the injured list. He has been out all season with a groin strain but has been going through infield drills for the past week or so. He might be back next week if all goes well. Currently on the 60-day injured list, Gennett was injured trying to field a ground ball on March 22 during a Spring Training game. The prognosis was that he would be out for two to three months. Thus far, there have been no setbacks or reasons to give the Reds and Gennett pause as he gets closer to being ready.
The Reds’ team ERA of 3.66 second in the National League and fourth in the Major Leagues. The staff’s 7 shutouts are the most in the Major Leagues. They have allowed just 52 homers, the fewest of any staff in the NL. The Reds’ bullpen ERA of 3.56 leads the National League and ranks fourth in the Major Leagues. The Reds’ starting rotation ERA of 3.62 ranks second in the National League and fourth in the Major Leagues.
Closer Raisel Iglesias hasn’t allowed a run in any of his last 8 appearances, his longest scoreless streak of the season. The longest scoreless streak of his career is 19 games. He also has converted each of his last 5 save chances, his longest streak of the season.
The Reds’ defense ranks second in the National League in fielding percentage (.988) and fewest errors (22), trailing Arizona.
Pirates vs Reds MLB Betting Trends
- Pirates are 4-0 in Lyles’ last 4 road starts.
- Pirates are 5-0 in Lyles’ last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
- Pirates are 5-0 in Lyles’ last 5 starts.
- Over is 4-0 in Pirates’ last 4 during game 3 of a series.
- Under is 4-0 in Reds’ last 4 Tuesday games.
Expert MLB Prediction for Pirates vs Reds
Pirates 4, Reds 2
