Pittsburgh Pirates vs
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Red Sox Pitcher May Poised for Success Against Struggling Pirates in Boston Showdown

In this Pirates at Red Sox prediction, the struggling Pirates face off against the red-hot Red Sox in Boston on Saturday. The Pirates are having a disappointing season and are projected to finish last in their division, while the Red Sox are in a strong position in the AL East and firmly in the wildcard race. The pitching matchup for game two features Johan Oviedo for the Pirates and Dustin May for the Red Sox. The game is scheduled to start at 4:10 PM EST. For more insights and betting recommendations, continue reading and consider using our top to enhance your chances of success.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +149 | Red Sox -172
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-125) | Red Sox -1.5 (+105)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Boston will win straight-up is 63%.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates arrived in Boston on Friday night after showing signs of improvement in their recent games. Despite being predicted to finish last in the NL Central Division, the Pirates have been lifted by a promising starting pitching rotation. They split a four-game series in St. Louis, narrowly missing out on a series win with a 4-1 loss on Thursday. Starter Braxton Ashcraft performed well, only allowing one run in 5.2 innings of work. Heading into Friday night's game, the Pirates have 76 losses on the season and a 17-17 record in interleague play. Righty Johan Oviedo will take the mound in game two of the series against the Red Sox, coming off a recent win after nearly two seasons. Oviedo has shown solid performance in his three starts since returning from the IL, with an ERA of 3.60 and 1.20 WHIP. Despite key injuries to players like Enmanuel Valdez and Tim Mayza, the Pirates have won two out of Oviedo's three starts this season.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are on a hot streak after a dominant road trip through New York and Baltimore, where they took seven out of eight games from the Yankees and Orioles. The team is now three and a half games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and is currently 15 games over .500. Dustin May, a recent trade deadline acquisition, will be starting the upcoming game for the Red Sox. Despite some recent struggles, May has a record of 7-10 with 10 quality starts this season. The Red Sox will be without several key players due to injuries, including Nathaniel Lowe and Liam Hendriks.

Red Sox pitcher May poised for success against Pirates with strong home performance

In this season, May has demonstrated stronger pitching performance at home with an impressive 3.24 ERA, showcasing his ability to excel in front of home fans. With 117 strikeouts under his belt before Saturday's game, May is anticipated to capitalize on the aggressive hitting style of the Pirates, further enhancing his strikeout statistics. Additionally, May will have the advantage of a more reliable bullpen compared to the Pirates' starter, Oviedo, who has struggled to pitch more than five innings in a single game this season. This places extra pressure on the Pirates' bullpen. The Red Sox hold a significant offensive advantage, boasting a team batting average of .252 with 163 home runs, surpassing the Pirates' .233 batting average and 98 home runs. As playoff contenders, the Red Sox are expected to seize every opportunity against weaker opponents. Given the circumstances, the recommended choice is to take the Red Sox with the money line.

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