The Milwaukee Brewers (43-38) begin a 3-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (38-42) on Friday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Brewers vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Brewers lead 3-0
On Thursday, the Brewers defeated the New York Mets 3-2 to win the series 3-1. Milwaukee is 6-4 in its last 10 games and is tied with the Cincinnati Reds for 1st place in the NL Central.
The Pirates beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Thursday to complete a 3-game sweep. Pittsburgh is 4 1/2 games behind the Brewers and Reds in the NL Central race.
Brewers at Pirates projected starters
RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP Osvaldo Bido
Peralta (5-7, 4.65 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 81 1/3 innings.
- Has walked 2 or more batters in 11 of his 15 starts
- In 5-2 win June 18 vs. Pirates: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Bido (0-1, 3.45 ERA) makes his 4th career start. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 15 2/3 innings.
- Has tallied 5-plus K’s in each 3 start
- Pirates are 0-3 in the 27-year-old rookie’s 3 starts
Brewers at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Brewers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Pirates +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Brewers -1.5 (+115) | Pirates +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Brewers at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Brewers 5, Pirates 4
Moneyline
Even with the Pirates winning 3 straight games, I’ll back the BREWERS (-145) on the road Friday. The Brewers have owned the Pirates in recent season, going 47-21 in the last 68 meetings. Also, the Pirates are 0-9 in their last 9 games against an NL Central foe.
Run line/Against the spread
PIRATES +1.5 (-140) is how I’d bet with how tough it is to trust Peralta on the mound. The Brewers also have the 2nd-worst strikeout rate (27.7%) against right-handed pitching in the month of June.
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Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean with Peralta struggling in recent starts and Bido making just his 4th MLB start. The Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 home games for the Pirates, and the Over is also 24-9-4 in the past 37 meetings in Pittsburgh.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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