The Cincinnati Reds (34-37) and Pittsburgh Pirates (34-37) open a 3-game set Monday. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Reds vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Pirates won 8-5 last season
The Reds have lost back-to-back Games after falling 5-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday and failing to cash as +135 road underdogs. SS Elly De La Cruz scored 3 runs, hit a HR and tripled. LF Spencer Steer also hit a HR for Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh got back in the win column Sunday with an 8-2 victory at the Colorado Rockies, cashing as -107 favorites. C Jason Delay hit a 3-run double in the 6th inning to extend the lead to 6-0, and 1B Rowdy Tellez and 3B Jared Triolo each had 2 RBIs.
Reds at Pirates projected starters
RHP Carson Spiers vs. RHP Paul Skenes
Spiers (0-0, 2.33 ERA) makes his 1st start and 6th appearance. The rookie has a 1.19 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 19 1/3 innings.
- Last appearance: No-decision, 5 2/3 relief IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-2 home loss against Chicago Cubs June 9
- Career road stats: 0-0, 4.00 ERA (9 IP, 4 ER), 1.44 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 in 3 relief appearances
Skenes (3-0, 2.43 ERA) makes his 7th start. The rookie has a 0.96 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 12.4 K/9 in 33 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 2-1 win at St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday
- 2024 home stats: 1-0, 4.20 ERA (15 IP, 7 ER), 1.47 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 3 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Reds at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 9:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Reds +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Pirates -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Reds +1.5 (-125) | Pirates -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Reds at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Pirates 5, Reds 3
Moneyline
PASS.
There is minimal value on the Pirates (-190) to win Monday.
Run line/Against the spread
BET PIRATES -1.5 (+105).
Four of Pittsburgh’s last 5 wins have come by 2 or more runs, with the team scoring 4 or more runs in 6 of their last 10 games. The Pirates have allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of their last 9 games, while Skenes has not allowed over 3 ER in each of his 6 starts. Cincinnati has scored 4 or fewer runs in 7 of its last 8 games.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 7.5 (-120).
This total (7.5) is the 2nd-lowest for both the Reds and Pirates in their last 10 games. The Reds have scored 4 or more runs in 3 of their last 4 games and 6 of their last 10, while the Pirates have scored 5 or more runs in 2 of their last 3.
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