Wednesday, September 17, 2014

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday night, Clay Buchholz (8 - 8, 5.19 ERA) gets the call for the Boston Red Sox as they face Francisco Liriano (5 - 10, 3.53 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Buchholz makes his 26^th start as Liriano makes his 27^th.

Clay Buchholz notched his 3^rd straight victory in his last outing. Through 6.1 innings of work, Buchholz allowed 3 runs and 6 hits while striking out 7 and walking 3. Buchholz seems to be on a nice run and will look to end the season strong. But despite the 3 straight wins, he is still just 3 -3 in his last 10 starts. In 2013, Buchholz finished the year with a 12 -1 record and a 1.74 ERA in 16 starts.

Buchholz didn't face the Pirates last season and he has only faced 5 of the Pittsburgh hitters before. He will have to watch out for Russell Martin as Martin is 4 for 12 with 4 homers and 7 RBIs when facing Buchholz.

Francisco Liriano added his 2^nd straight win in his last trip to the mound. Liriano pitched 8 innings of scoreless ball and surrendered just 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 12. The 12 strikeouts were a season-high for Liriano. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 2 starts but in his last 10 outings, Liriano is just 4 - 3. Last season, Liriano went 16 -8 with a 3.02 ERA in 26 starts.

In 2013, Liriano didn't pitch against the Red Sox but he has seen many of the Boston hitters before. Seven of the Red Sox are batting .259 against Liriano with 15 hits, 2 home runs and 10 RBIs in 58 at-bats.

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 64-82-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.5

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 70-71-8 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

09/15/14 DH David Ortiz Personal questionable
09/13/14 CF Brock Holt Concussion out indefinitely
09/10/14 2B Dustin Pedroia Hand out for season
08/01/14 RF Shane Victorino Back 60-day DL (7/30)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)

Pittsburgh Pirates

09/10/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot out indefinitely
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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