Pittsburgh Pirates vs
San Diego PadresPredictions & Preview

Pittsburgh Pirates Look to Continue Winning Streak Against San Diego Padres Amid Injuries and Pitching Matchup

On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-36, 5th NL Central) will face off against the San Diego Padres (31-23, 2nd NL West) in the second game of a three-game series at Petco Park. Pittsburgh is coming off back-to-back wins, but remains significantly behind in the NL Central standings. San Diego, on the other hand, had their three-game winning streak snapped in their last game and are looking to bounce back. Both teams will be missing key players, with Pittsburgh missing seven pitchers and three position players, while San Diego will be without eight pitchers and two position players. Bailey Falter (ERA: 3.47) will start for the Pirates, while Dylan Cease (ERA: 4.58) will start for the Padres. San Diego is favored to win with a current line of -215. Be sure to check out our detailed Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres prediction for expert insights and top MLB picks.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +190 | Padres -215
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-115) | Padres -1.5 (+100)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that San Diego will win straight-up is 68%.

Pittsburgh vs San Diego Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently struggling in multiple offensive categories, ranking near the bottom in on-base percentage, batting average, runs scored, and slugging percentage. However, individuals such as Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds have shown promise, leading the team in home runs and RBI. The Pirates have shown some success on the mound, ranking 4th in Quality Starts and having Paul Skenes as a standout performer in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Pittsburgh will be starting Bailey Falter in their upcoming game, who has a respectable record this season. Overall, the Pirates have a power ranking of 25 and a record of 21-37, with weaknesses in offense but a solid defense.

San Diego Padres Analysis

The San Diego Padres are currently performing well offensively, ranking 8th in batting average, 15th in on-base percentage, 16th in slugging percentage, and 17th in runs scored. Fernando Tatis Jr leads the team in home runs, while Gavin Sheets leads in RBI. The team has several players contributing offensively with 12 or more RBI each. On the mound, San Diego ranks 5th in batting average against, 10th in ERA, and 11th in WHIP. Nick Pivetta leads in wins, while Dylan Cease will be pitching in the upcoming game. Despite a recent loss to Pittsburgh, the Padres have an overall record of 32-23 and a power ranking of 23.

Pittsburgh Pirates Showing Improvement as San Diego Padres Struggle: A Comparison of Recent Performances

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently rank last in the National League Central, however, the team has shown improvement by winning six of their last nine games. On the other hand, the San Diego Padres, who are second in the National League West, have struggled recently by losing eight of their last 12 games, including a 2-4 record in their last six home games at Petco Park.

Pittsburgh starting pitcher Bailey Falter has delivered five consecutive strong performances on the mound, allowing only 13 hits and three runs in 29.1 innings. During this impressive stretch, the Pirates have emerged victorious in three out of five games. In contrast, San Diego's starting pitcher Dylan Cease has endured two below-average outings, surrendering nine hits and six runs in 12 innings, resulting in a 1-1 record for the Padres during this timeframe.

Additionally, Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz has been a key contributor on offense, recording at least one hit in seven of the team's last eight games. He has also hit four home runs and driven in seven runs during this period, showcasing his offensive prowess.

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