Pittsburgh Pirates vs
Miami MarlinsPredictions & Preview

Marlins Favored to Beat Pirates in Game Two of Series, Puk Takes the Mound

The Pittsburgh Pirates will face the Miami Marlins in game two of their four-game series on Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh enters the 2024 season with optimism, extending All-Star Mitch Keller and welcoming back SS Oneil Cruz and 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes. Miami, coming off a surprising playoff run, aims to make consecutive postseason appearances despite challenges. The Pirates will start left-hander Martín Pérez, while the Marlins will counter with A.J. Puk. Injury reports include David Bednar for the Pirates and Edward Cabrera and JT Chargois for the Marlins. Miami is the betting favorite at -125.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +114 | Marlins -125
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-192) | Marlins -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Miami will win straight-up is 56%.

Pittsburgh vs Miami Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh surpassed expectations in 2023 with a 14-win improvement from the previous season, finishing with a 76-86 record. The team will look to build on their success in 2024, particularly in starting pitching. With Keller leading the rotation, Pittsburgh will rely on young arms and bounce-back performances from Pérez and Gonzales for depth. As long as other pitchers can support the bullpen, the team should be in good shape. Pérez will start against the Marlins on Friday, bringing experience from his ten-win season with Texas. Pittsburgh is currently ranked 21st in the power rankings, 22nd in offense and defense, and has yet to play a game this season. Make sure to do thorough research before looking for the best betting sites.

Miami Marlins Analysis

Miami Marlins are facing a challenging road to the playoffs this season, but their pitching depth and recent addition of Tim Anderson are positives. The team will be relying on lefty Puk as a starter, despite concerns about his previous arm injuries. Puk showed promise in the Grapefruit League, but it remains to be seen if he can maintain that level of performance as a starter. His statistics from last season suggest room for improvement. The Marlins are currently ranked #26 for offense and #17 for defense, with an overall record of 0-0. They will be looking to improve upon their recent matchup record against Pittsburgh. For more MLB insights and picks, visit our Expert Picks.

Marlins Expected to Dominate Pirates in Friday's Home Game

I am confident that the home team will emerge victorious in Friday's upcoming game. Based on Puk's performance during Spring Training, I anticipate that the Pirates will have difficulty performing at the plate, particularly due to their lack of familiarity with the tall left-handed pitcher. Puk has consistently demonstrated strong pitching abilities, as evidenced by his impressive 23:4 K:BB ratio. Although Pérez holds more experience as a starting pitcher, he struggled on the road last season and will face a formidable challenge from the Fins lineup, which excelled against left-handed pitchers in the previous season. With the Marlins boasting a solid 46-35 SU record at home in 2023, I believe they will capitalize on their home-field advantage following a strenuous game on Thursday, securing an important non-division victory.

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