As we move closer to the end of the season in the MLB, the Pittsburgh Pirates face off against the Cincinnati Reds in what promises to be an exciting clash in the National League. As the season comes to a near windup in focus this Friday night, both teams will buckle up to enhance their ranks. The unique feature of this encounter is that it is not just a derby game but a game of strategy, with the two clubs having pride at each other’s expense. This game will also be attractive to spectators and punters searching for expert premium picks owing to the current performance and background of the teams.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/20/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Friday, September 20, 2024, at 6:40 PM ET |
| Where: | Great American Ball Park |
| Watch: | SportsNet PT, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Pirates odds: | -106 Moneyline |
| Reds odds: | -111 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 9 |
Pittsburgh Pirates (72-81) vs. Cincinnati Reds (74-80)
The Pirates, despite their struggles, show a blend of resilience and unpredictability. Their last five games, though marred with losses, including a 5-10, 1-3, and 0-4 against the Cardinals, and a 1-5 against Royals, exhibit moments of brilliance and collapse, marked by a narrow 4-3 victory over Royals. The Pirates’ journey through these games outlines a narrative of battling odds with a batting average of .236 and a somewhat sturdy pitching staff boasting a 4.15 ERA.
| Pittsburgh Pirates Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 18, 2024 | STL | 5-10 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | STL | 1-3 | Lose |
| Sep 16, 2024 | STL | 0-4 | Lose |
| Sep 15, 2024 | KC | 4-3 | Win |
| Sep 14, 2024 | KC | 1-5 | Lose |
Conversely, the Reds have their share of ups and downs, as evident in their last performances with losses of 3-15 and 1-7 against the Atlanta Braves, yet showcasing a strong comeback with a 6-5 victory also against Atlanta. Their statistics slightly outshine the Pirates with a batting average of .233 and a superior slugging percentage of .394, powered by 169 home runs. These numbers suggest a latent potential for robust offensive plays.
| Cincinnati Reds Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 19, 2024 | ATL | 3-15 | Lose |
| Sep 18, 2024 | ATL | 1-7 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | ATL | 6-5 | Win |
| Sep 15, 2024 | MIN | 2-9 | Lose |
| Sep 14, 2024 | MIN | 11-1 | Win |
Mitch Keller (11-10, 3.87 ERA) vs. Nick Martinez (9-6, 3.37 ERA)
Mitch Keller, the starting pitcher for the Pirates, is reportedly 11-10 this season with an ERA of 3.87. The 169 strikeouts that Keller collared in his 169.2 innings pitched are highlights of Bullard’s ability to strike out barkers, but the 21 homers pitched this season suggest a little room for failure. Keller’s metrics particularly the WHIP of 1.25 indicates how aerobic dynamic Keller’s level will be important in Johnston’s effort to contain Red’s hitters.
It should be highlighted that Nick Martinez of the Reds has a somewhat better ERA of 3.37 and a WHIP of 1.08, making him a problem of sorts. Aside from the multitude of walks and home runs denting Keller’s record, Martinez’s pinpoint accuracy and overall control could actually tip the balance towards Cincinnati, especially since he has been good at making key plays whenever the team needs them most.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Cincinnati Reds -111, Total Odds:9
The odds are no one-sided competition since this game is likely to be very close and home-field advantage slightly tilts towards the Reds. One even pegged the game total at 9 points because that is what both teams tend to score, but in their round of matches, they seem to be going more UNDER.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
For the Pirates, the betting facts have highlighted a team that is quite inconsistent with its trends. Trends for their last few games are easily pointing towards struggling to score total points hence betting on the board going under understands that matches have gotten more boring or offensive production has been poor.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
On the contrary, for the Reds, the recent games have gone OVER the totals set. However, against teams in the same conference and in particular the Pirates, games tend to go UNDER total accumulated points indicating that there is a change of tactics employed against certain teams.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/20/24 Betting Picks
Considering the close position both teams hold with each other as well as their recent form, the match promises to be an edge-of-the-seat affair. Historically, the Pirates have the advantage though, the Reds have been strong at home recently and Martinez is quite the pitcher so this northern division rivalry might tip for the Reds this time round. For the overall victory, the Reds would be a good pick for those looking for a straight win but also watch the total points since both teams have been moving from averaging more to fewer points over the games played.
Prop bets and over/under bets turn to under regarding the current under trends. The team could appreciate, nevertheless, the exceptional performance of both starters allows a good expectation of a tight low score type of game. Remain this way for the daily MLB free insights so that you know what changes just before the game. Lineup changes and last minute injuries may affect the final odds.