Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros Prediction, 7/31/2024 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Houston Astros

Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Location: Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Minute Maid Park is the location where the Houston Astros (55-51) will try to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates (54-52) on Wednesday. The pitchers who are expected to start are Martin Perez and Framber Valdez.

As a squad, the Pittsburgh Pirates are earning 4.2 runs per game, which has them sitting at 22nd in MLB. They have accumulated 441 runs while having a team on-base percentage of .300. The Pirates have recorded 151 two-baggers as a team and have hit 106 balls out of the park. They have 427 RBI's and 828 hits this year, while their average at the plate sits at .231. Pittsburgh owns a slugging percentage of .369 and have been rung up 965 times, while drawing a walk on 330 occasions.

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The Pirates have compiled a team ERA of 3.81 on the season (11th in the league), and the staff has struck out 893 hitters. Pirates pitchers have allowed 104 home runs and also 449 runs (11th in baseball). They have walked 327 batters and their FIP is 3.89 as a unit on the season. Pittsburgh has yielded 889 hits (8.4 per 9 innings) and also 402 earned runs. They have a K/BB ratio of 2.73 and the pitching staff has recorded a WHIP of 1.28.

The Pirates have sent 318 relievers to the hill so far this year. The relievers have inherited 118 base runners on the season with 31.4% of them crossed home plate. They have compiled 27 saves this year and have blown 18 of their 45 save opportunities. The Pirates relievers have earned a save rate of 60.0% and has stepped onto the mound in 95 save situations. The bullpen have a total of 49 holds so far this year (24th in baseball). Pirates bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the hill with runners on 82 times in addition to having 117 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have notched a total of 2,848 putouts on the year, in addition to 931 assists and 54 errors. Their fielding percentage is holding at .986 which is 12th in baseball, and they have turned 92 double plays. The Pirates have converted 69.1% of balls hit into play into outs out of their 8,544 innings on the field, which ranks them 23rd in professional baseball.

Perez (87-86 record in his career) is the owner of a FIP of 4.41 and he has faced 6,625 batters in the majors. He has given up 1,664 hits (9.8 hits per 9 innings) and has had 551 free passes. His ERA is 4.48 (758 earned runs allowed) and he has a career WHIP of 1.455. Perez has pitched in 1,523 frames and has totaled 1,065 K's during his MLB career.

Houston has tallied 121 long balls this season to go along with 476 runs batted in. They have notched 181 doubles, while getting a free base 287 times as well as putting up 495 runs. The Houston Astros have earned an OBP of .321 in addition to a team batting average of .262 for the year. The Astros hold a slugging % of .419 and they average 4.67 runs per contest (10th in baseball). They have struck out on 752 instances (28th in MLB) and have 952 base hits.

The Houston pitching staff have surrendered 446 runs this year while having an ERA of 4.03 (420 earned runs allowed). They have allowed 126 long balls and they relinquish 4.27 runs per 9 innings (12th in the league). The Astros are sitting with a team WHIP of 1.296 in addition to having a FIP of 4.30 as a unit this season. They currently have a K/BB ratio of 8.90 (931 strikeouts against 385 free passes). They come in at 9th in MLB as a pitching staff in total hits surrendered with 832.

With 101 save situations, the Astros have 60 holds in addition to 15 blown saves. Houston has had bullpen pitchers take the mound in 40 save chances and they have tallied 25 saves. Their bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the hill 95 times in high leverage situations in addition to 58 occasions with base runners. Houston relief pitchers hold an inherited score percentage of 29.1% out of their 86 inherited runners. They are ranked 18th in the league holding a save percentage of 62.5%, and they have sent 339 bullpen pitchers onto the field for the season.

The Houston Astros have gotten 86 double plays and have a fielding percentage of .989 (2nd in MLB). The Astros have recorded 886 assists, 43 errors and have a total of 2,818 putouts so far this year. In their 8,454 innings played, the Astros have accumulated a efficiency on defense of 70.7% (7th in pro baseball).

Thus far in his career, Valdez has surrendered 702 base hits while accumulating 795 K's in 822 frames. He has allowed 311 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.224 and a FIP of 3.4. He has a K/BB ratio of 2.62 and he has faced 3,430 opposing batters in his career. Valdez (62-39 career win-loss record) holds a 3.40 earned run average while allowing 7.7 hits per nine innings.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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