Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Francisco Liriano (6-6) vs. Ervin Santana (2-0)

The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Target Field on Wednesday to take on the Minnesota Twins. The probable starters are Francisco Liriano for the Pirates and Ervin Santana for the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -120 and Minnesota at +110. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Pirates, with a 42-56 run line record, cover the spread 43% of the time. They also have a 42-47 over/under record. The Twins have a 44-46 over/under record and a 61-37 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 62% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 57-41 record, including 22-24 on the road. Francisco Liriano has a 6-6 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.91 and a 1.03 WHIP. In his starts, the Pirates are 9-10 over his 120.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 82 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Pirates are 9-7 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 4.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.62 and they've given up 263 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .236 against the bullpen while being struck out 256 times and walking 87 times this season. As a team, Pittsburgh has allowed 8.3 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.82 batters per nine. They are 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 3.05.

Pittsburgh ranks 7th in the league in team batting average at .256 while hitting .254 on the road. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .315 and they hold a .383 team slugging percentage. They rank 7th in baseball with 8.84 hits per game and Starling Marte leads the team with 102.

Minnesota is 32-18 at home while holding a 52-46 overall record on the season. Ervin Santana has a record of 2-0 while sporting an earned run average of 2.60 on the year with a 0.98 WHIP. In his starts, the Twins are 3-1 and he has allowed 20 hits over 27.2 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Twins are 1-3 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.91 and they have given up 286 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .254 against the Twins bullpen while being struck out 196 times and walking 87 times this season. As a team, Minnesota has allowed 9.39 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.07 batters per nine. They are 17th in the league in team earned run average at 3.88.

They rank 18th in the league in team batting average with a .252 average while hitting .280 at home. Ranked at 24th in the league in on-base percentage, the Twins sit at .305 and they hold a .397 team slugging percentage. They rank 21st in baseball with 8.39 hits per game and Joe Mauer leads the team with 99.

The Pirates have committed 72 errors and have combined for 1181 assists and 2,702 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .985 team fielding percentage while committing 54 errors, accumulating 999 assists and compiling 2,603 put outs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 42-47 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 42-56 against the run line so far this season

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 44-46 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 61-37 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

07/20/15 SS Jordy Mercer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/20)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
07/06/15 3B Josh Harrison Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Minnesota Twins

06/26/15 CF Byron Buxton Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/25)
06/04/15 P Ricky Nolasco Ankle Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/1)
05/16/15 CF Jordan Schafer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)

Tony's Pick: Take the Pirates

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