Pittsburgh Pirates vs
Arizona DiamondbacksPredictions & Preview

Diamondbacks Favored to Win in Series Opener Against Pirates, Heaney and Nelson to Start

In this article, we provide a preview of the upcoming game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams are coming off recent series and are looking to secure a win in this opening game of a three-game series. Last season, the Diamondbacks had the upper hand in the season series. The starting pitchers for this matchup will be Andrew Heaney for the Pirates and Ryne Nelson for the Diamondbacks. Arizona is favored to win with a betting line of -172. Please note that this article was written before the conclusion of both teams' games on Sunday.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +155 | Diamondbacks -172
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-128) | Diamondbacks -1.5 (+106)
• Total: Over/Under 9.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Arizona will win straight-up is 63%.

Pittsburgh vs Arizona Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates secured their second consecutive and fourth win in their last five games by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers at home on Saturday. Despite their recent success, the Pirates remain at the bottom of the NL Central with a record of 19-34, trailing the Cubs by 12.5 games. In the game, Pittsburgh had nine hits, with Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz each contributing two RBIs. Despite struggling with runners in scoring position, the Pirates managed to secure the victory. Pitcher Mitch Keller delivered a solid performance, allowing only one run in six innings, while Chase Shugart earned the win in relief. Closer David Bednar secured his fifth save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. In the upcoming game, starter Andrew Heaney will look to improve upon his 3-3 record and 2.91 ERA in his 11th start of the season. With a power ranking of 27, the Pirates currently rank 30th in offense, averaging 3.02 runs per game, and 18th in defense, allowing 4.31 runs per game against them.

Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Sunday's game with a record of 26-26, standing fourth in the NL West. They faced the Cardinals after a four-game losing streak, with Geraldo Perdomo leading the offense with three hits. Randal Grichuk hit his second homer of the season and Merrill Kelly pitched six innings, but the Diamondbacks ultimately lost. Ryne Nelson will start in the upcoming series opener with a record of 1-1 and a 4.60 ERA. The team ranks 5th in offense, scoring an average of 5.08 runs per game, but 24th in defense, giving up 5.02 points per game. In their most recent matchups, Pittsburgh won 2-1 against Arizona.

Diamondbacks Expected to Dominate Pirates in Sunday Matchup

On Sunday, the Diamondbacks and Pirates entered the game on different streaks, with Arizona having lost four consecutive games and Pittsburgh winning four out of five. Despite his past struggles, Heaney has shown relative success on the mound this season. The Pirates face a challenge with their limited offensive capabilities, lacking the ability to intimidate opposing pitchers. Conversely, the Diamondbacks possess a strong offensive lineup, especially dangerous when playing at home. It is anticipated that Arizona will capitalize on their offensive strength against Pittsburgh's weak lineup, potentially securing a victory. Consider betting on the Diamondbacks to win at home in this matchup.

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