Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates Free Pick and Betting Lines. The 39-30 Pittsburgh Pirates play host to the 32-36 Cincinnati Reds tonight in MLB action on the grass of PNC Park, June 23, 2015. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM EST.
Betting Odds
Moneyline: Pirates -136/Reds +126
O/U Total: 8
Pitching Matchup
Joshua Smith (R) 1st MLB Appearance
Jeff Locke (L) W/L 4-3 WHIP 1.45 ERA 4.74
Both teams had the day off yesterday. Cincinnati is coming off a 3-1 mini homestand. They are 4-1 in their last 5 games and 12-22 on the road in 2015. Pittsburgh is coming off a 2-3 road trip. They are 7-3 in their past 10 games but are coming off 3-straight losses. They are 21-11 at home this season.
The Reds have a 5-1 advantage this year in games between these two teams and an 8-2 lead in the last 10 encounters.
Locke was a 3-2 winner at the White Sox in his last start. He went 6 innings, allowed 2 runs and struck out 8 for his 6th Q start of the season.
As stated above, this is Smith’s first start in the big leagues.
OF Marlon Byrd is 4-10 (.400) with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs vs. Locke while 3B Todd Frazier is 8-18 (.444) with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. OF Billy Hamilton is 5-11 (.455) with a SB vs. the left-hander. 2B Brandon Phillips and OF Jay Bruce have struggled vs. Locke and are hitting .156 (5-32) against him.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Betting Trends
The Reds are 4-1 straight up in their last 5 games.
Cincinnati is 3-13 straight up in their last 16 road games.
The game total has gone under in 5 of the Reds last 7 games on the road in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates are 8-3 straight up in their last 11 games.
Pittsburgh is 1-7 straight up in their last 8 games against Cincinnati.
Injury Report
CINCINNATI REDS
Homer Bailey P 60-Day Disabled List
Jason Bourgeois OF 60-Day Disabled List
Aroldis Chapman P Paternity Leave List
Tony Cingrani P 15-Day Disabled List
Zack Cozart SS 60-Day Disabled List
Raisel Iglesias P 15-Day Disabled List
Sean Marshall P 60-Day Disabled List
Devin Mesoraco C 15-Day Disabled List
Jon Moscot P 15-Day Disabled List
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Brandon Cumpton P 60-Day Disabled List
Andrew Lambo OF 15-Day Disabled List
Justin Sellers 2B 60-Day Disabled List
Consensus Picks (Public Money line Bets)
Cincinnati: 34%
Pittsburgh: 66%
Free MLB Pick
The Pirates should have the edge facing rookie Joshua Smith who will be making his first MLB appearance. It is unlikely that he’ll last late into this game tonight at PNC Park and if the game is still in doubt when Smith is done the less than impressive Reds’ bullpen will be called upon. Locke has been pitching better in recent starts allowing two runs over 12 innings in his last two outings. We feel that the Pirates will find their hitting stroke tonight and will be able to extend the margin against the Reds
Take the Pittsburgh Pirates -1½ +155 @ BOVADA SPORTSBOOK
