With the second half of the MLB season drawing closer to its temporal confines, the confrontation between the Pittsburgh Pirates (72-82) and the Cincinnati Reds (75-80) at Great American Ball Park casts an enticing and fairly momentous encounter. Although both teams would like to improve their record which is currently below fifty percent, they will have to do battle this Saturday in what will be an important game for their season’s end run. Also, some fans and gamblers looking for the premium picks today will have to look for it in this game.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/21/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Great American Ball Park |
| Watch: | MLBN, SportsNet PT, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Pirates odds: | -109 Moneyline |
| Reds odds: | -109 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 9 |
Pittsburgh Pirates (72-82) vs. Cincinnati Reds (75-80)
The Pirates who are a work in progress have nonetheless managed to struggle even greater within the home turf. It has been a tough stretch for the team with a shocking 1-4 SU in their last five games, thermally describing a team that is threading a thin line in completing the games. The following figures are up to date for the club showing that they have a Batting average of .236 while the on-base percentage is at a pitiful .302 even if their pitching staff has good results with an ERA of 4.14. Analyzing their last five games, they suffered significant defeats, notably losing 3-8 and 5-10 against the Reds and the Cardinals, respectively, showing vulnerability in their defense and bullpen.
| Pittsburgh Pirates Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 20, 2024 | CIN | 3-8 | Lose |
| Sep 19, 2024 | STL | 3-2 | Win |
| Sep 18, 2024 | STL | 5-10 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | STL | 1-3 | Lose |
| Sep 16, 2024 | STL | 0-4 | Lose |
On the other side, the Reds seem to have seized a bit more control, especially at home where they are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games. Their slugging percentage of .394 and 170 home runs highlight a potent offense capable of explosive innings. Their last games, however, reflect a struggle for consistency, demonstrated in their 3-15 loss to Atlanta, though they bounced back with a solid 8-3 win against the Pirates recently.
| Cincinnati Reds Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 20, 2024 | PIT | 8-3 | Win |
| 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 |
Jared Jones (6-7, 3.85 ERA) vs. Rhett Lowder (1-2, 1.74 ERA)
Jared Jones has been the most durable pitcher for the Pirates, which goes a long way in saying he has a 3.85 ERA with 120 strikeouts over 112.1 innings pitched. Jones is effective because he allows his opponent to a low batting average of just .251 which is essential for Pittsburgh left. Even under the struggles of the team, Jones’s performance is one of the key reasons to stay optimistic especially during the close games where Jones’s ability to strike out opposing players is critical.
On the other hand, Rhett Lowder is still in the early stages of development this season, having pitched only 20.2 innings. In terms of his ERA and WHIP, he is doing well at 1.74 and 1.26 respectively. So low home run rate as well as a similar amount of strikeouts to walks rate will make him a difficult opponent for these Pittsburgh hitters. The rookie’s performance could very well set the pace of the match.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Cincinnati Reds -109, Total Odds: 9
Based on the betting lines, one will assume that the two teams are equally well-matched as they sit at -109 on the moneyline. The total numbers given standing at 9 are likely to attract many betters to the over, given that the last few games between these particular teams in this particular stadium.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
The Pirates seem to be struggling once again although they have had some fighting moments, most of the recent games point to clear deficiencies away from home, which is a worrying 1-5 SU in their last 6 away matches. For those considering placing money on the game, their inability to hold on to leads and finish off teams effectively would be worrying.
Cincinnati Reds Betting Trends
The Reds have proved that they can be able to make runs at their home stadium as they stand 6-2 SU in their home stands. What they need to do is to take indeed scoring opportunities and turn them into points as Lowder seen starting out could work to their advantage.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds 9/21/24 Betting Picks
With the help of the previous matches of both teams and betting channels, the Reds have the upper hand, especially coming back home to play and with the impressive groove of starter Rhett Lowder. Because the prevalence of travel fatigue has made the Pirates a hit-and-miss team on the road, the Reds are in an excellent position to take advantage of the situation at the great American ballpark.
In case you are after wagering tips, we recommend placing a bet on the Cincinnati Reds moneyline, as it seems to be the more appropriate option at present. Furthermore, perhaps also placing wagers on the total going over could be beneficial in light of what has transpired in the previous such contests of such clashes. Explore these selections as ways to implement your betting systems for some of the best MLB free picks.