Pittsburgh Pirates vs
Arizona DiamondbacksPredictions & Preview

Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks Set to Face Off in Crucial National League Matchup as MLB Trade Deadline Looms

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks will face off in a crucial National League matchup this weekend. The series opener is set for Friday at 8:40 ET in Phoenix, AZ, with Luis Ortiz starting for the Pirates and Zac Gallen taking the mound for the Diamondbacks. Arizona is favored to win, with a current line of -165. This game will be key as both teams vie for wild card positioning in the playoff race.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +147 | Diamondbacks -165
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-139) | Diamondbacks -1.5 (+120)
• Total: Over/Under 8.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Arizona will win straight-up is 62%.

Pittsburgh vs Arizona Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

Despite low expectations due to a second-lowest payroll in the league, the Pittsburgh Pirates have surprised many by finding themselves in playoff contention with a 52-50 record. The team has won 10 of their last 13 games, including four straight series victories. They are just 1.5 games back of the final wild card spot. In a recent win over the Cardinals, Martin Perez threw 6.0 scoreless innings and Rowdy Tellez had a productive day at the plate. Luis Ortiz, who has a 2.57 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this season, will start the next game. In terms of rankings, Pittsburgh is 23 in offense, 13 in defense, and is currently ranked 5th overall in power rankings.

Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis

The Arizona Diamondbacks, the reigning N.L. Pennant winners, have had a slow start to the 2024 campaign but have recently shown improvement with 14 wins in their last 21 games. They are now just 1.0 game off the final wild card spot, currently held by San Diego. The team has won two straight games against Kansas City, with veteran players Christian Walker and Ketel Marte leading the charge offensively. The Diamondbacks have a strong offense, ranking 4th in the league with an average of 4.91 runs per game. Defensively, they rank 24th, giving up an average of 4.72 points per game. As a team, they are ninth in both batting average and OPS. Their current power ranking is 1, with an overall record of 53-50. Despite a recent loss to Pittsburgh, the Diamondbacks are showing signs of improvement and are currently favored to make the postseason according to oddsmakers.

High-Stakes Baseball Series: Bet on Diamondbacks to Win Opening Game!

This upcoming series features two highly competitive baseball teams contending for a wild card position, promising an exciting weekend of games. In the opening game on Friday night, I recommend betting on the Diamondbacks to emerge victorious. Arizona holds a slight advantage in this evenly matched game due to their experience in high-pressure situations and recent strong performance, boasting a 14-7 record in their last 21 games. The outcome may be determined by the effectiveness of the bullpens, and while both teams have solid relief units, the Diamondbacks' bullpen has shown resilience in clutch situations over the past year. Additionally, playing at home where they hold a 26-24 record, Arizona is well-positioned for success. Our pick for Friday is to support the Diamondbacks.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]