Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 9-22-23 MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds clash Friday in game 1 of an MLB series at Great American Ball Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates look for a win after winning 6 of their last 10 games. The Pirates are 7 games back in the NL wild card race. The Pirates pitching staff is 21st in ERA (4.58), 22nd in WHIP (1.38) and 15th in quality starts (51). The Pirates' offense is 23rd in runs per game (4.25), 27th in batting average (.238) and 27th in homers (151). Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 145 hits and 78 RBI, while Ke'Bryan Hayes and Andrew McCutchen have combined for 228 hits and 103 RBI. Luis Ortiz gets the ball, and he is 4-5 with a 4.85 ERA and 50 strikeouts this season. This will be Ortiz’s second career game against the Reds.

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

The Pirates have lost nine of their last 10 games at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight night games following a road win.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Reds look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. The Reds are 0.5 games out of the wild card race. The Reds pitching staff is 24th in ERA (4.73), 23rd in WHIP (1.41) and 25th in quality starts (43). The Reds' offense is 12th in runs per game (4.68), 17th in batting average (.247) and 16th in homers (178). Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 148 hits and 82 RBI, while TJ Friedl and Tyler Stephenson have combined for 235 hits and 107 RBI. Andrew Abbott gets the ball, and he is 8-5 with a 3.68 ERA and 112 strikeouts this season. This will be Abbott’s second career game against the Pirates.

Cincinnati Reds Team Facts

The Reds have won each of their last four night games against teams that held a losing record.
The Reds have covered the run line in six of their last seven night games following a home loss.
The Reds have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last six night games at Great American Ball Park against NL Central opponents.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Reds' last four home games.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cincinnati Reds rank 1st in the league for steals this season (175).
The Cincinnati Reds rank 3rd in the league for triples this season (34).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 28th in the league for hits this season (1209).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for home runs this season (151).

Randy’s Pick

The Reds have more to play for at this stage, and they simply can't afford to let games like this slip away at home. Andrew Abbott has also been better than Luis Ortiz this season, with a 3.68 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Ortiz has been far more hittable this season, with a 4.85 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. While the Pirates are still showing fight here and there, the Reds have to view this series as a golden opportunity to stay in the wild card race. Give me the Reds at home.