The 39-46 Pittsburgh Pirates close out a four-game series versus the 28-55 Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first pitch of the finale at Citizens Bank Park is scheduled for 6:05 PM ET.
The visiting Pirates are on the MLB boards as a -134 to -147 moneyline favorite at the sports betting sites that we track. The total is posted at a consensus line of 9 runs.
In Game 3 of this series yesterday, the Pirates beat the Phillies 5-2 In the game, the Pirates scored five runs on eight hits and the Phillies scored two runs on 10 hits.
This season the Pirates rank 26th in the Majors in runs scored and 16th in team ERA.
The Phillies rank 29th in the Majors in runs scored and 23rd in team ERA.
Pitching Match Up
Pittsburgh: Chad Kuhl (2-6, 5.26 ERA)
Philadelphia: Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.48 ERA)
Chad Kuhl goes for the Pirates in this series finale and he is coming off a good last start where he only gave up one earned run in six innings only giving up two hits, but he did not get much support in a 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates have lost his last two starts and six of his last seven, but in that span he gave up three or fewer earned runs five times. Kuhl had great start in mid May facing the Phillies not giving up any earned runs and only allowing one hit in a 1-0 Pittsburgh win. He has faced Phillies starter Jeremy Hillickson six times in his career and is 0-6. Pittsburgh has only won one of Kuhl’s last eight road starts. In his career facing the Phillies he is 2-2 with an ERA of only 1.64.
Jeremy Hellickson gets the starting nod for the Phillies and he gave up four earned runs in six innings in his last start, which was a 7-6 loss to the New York Mets. The Phillies have lost his last five starts, but previous to his last one he had only given up one earned run in two straight outings, but only received two runs of support. Hellickson faced Pittsburgh earlier this season going six innings and giving up one earned run in a 7-2 win. In four career starts against the Pirates he is 3-1 with an ERA of 2.42. The Phillies have lost four of Hellickson’s last five starts against a team with a losing record, but they are 7-3 in his last 10 home starts.
Betting Angles
The Pirates are 4-1 in their last 5 games against the Phillies.
In the last 4 games between these teams the total has gone Under every time.
In the last 6 games between these teams in Philadelphia the Under record is 5-1.
This season the Phillies are 15-22 at home and the Pirates are 18-24 on the road.
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records
Pittsburgh Pirates: 39-46 SU / O/U 36-44 / Run Line W/L 43-42
Philadelphia Phillies: 28-55 SU / O/U 39-38 / Run Line W/L 42-41
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia Key Betting Trends
- PITT is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. National League East
- PITT is 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game
- PITT has an Under record of 6-2 in their last 8 road games
- PHIL is 2-7 in their last 9 home games
- PHIL is 17-46 in their last 63 overall
- PHIL has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 home games
Key Player Injuries
PIRATES
[CF] 04/18/2017 – Starling Marte 80-game suspension (eligible to return 07/18 vs. Milwaukee) ( Suspension )
PHILLIES
P] 05/31/2017 – Vince Velasquez 10-day DL (05/31) ( Elbow )
[2B] 06/11/2017 – Cesar Hernandez 10-day DL (06/11) ( Side )
[P] 06/20/2017 – Jerad Eickhoff 10-day DL (06/20) ( Back )
[P] 06/23/2017 – Casey Fien 10-day DL (06/23) ( Shoulder )
[LF] 06/30/2017 – Howie Kendrick 10-day DL (06/28) ( Hamstring )
[P] 04/23/2017 – Clay Buchholz 60-day DL (04/15) ( Forearm )
