Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

The Miami Marlins (82-76) and Pittsburgh Pirates (75-84) meet Friday as they open a 3-game series. First pitch at PNC Park is slated for 6:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s  lines around the Marlins vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Marlins lead 3-1

Miami scuffled in July and August, but is surging at the right time. Since Aug. 31, the Fish are 16-9. They head into the weekend a half-game ahead of the Chicago Cubs for the 3rd-and-final NL Wild Card berth.

The Pirates have also rallied over recent weeks. Pittsburgh is just 1-3 over its last 4 games but is a solid 17-11since Aug. 28.

Marlins at Pirates projected starters

RHP Edward Cabrera vs. RHP Quinn Priester (not confirmed)

Cabrera (7-7, 4.22 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.41 WHIP, 5.9 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 96 innings across 19 starts and 2 relief appearances.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K in 6-1 home win vs. Milwaukee Brewers Sunday
• 2023 road stats: 0-7, 6.04 ERA in 47 2/3 IP
• Went 4 innings, allowing 3 R (0 ER) in his lone start against the Pirates (Sept. 18, 2021)
• Has also spent time at Triple-A this season, but has been with the Marlins since Sept. 6 (1.89 ERA in 19 IP)

Priester (3-2, 7.86 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.66 WHIP, 5.2 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 in 44 2/3 innings across 9 games (7 starts).

• Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 K in 4-2 loss at Cincinnati Reds Sunday
• The rookie has pitched 108 innings at Triple-A this season (4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).
• Has not faced Miami

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Marlins at Pirates odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines updated at 3:27 p.m. ET.

Marlins at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Marlins 4, Pirates 3

Not enough to like on the mound for either side. Miami is priced about right in this spot. PASS.

Same as above but with a few extra ounces of juice. AVOID.

Look for the bullpens to be heavily involved here, and both relief units figure as better than what shows in the surface numbers. Look for tightly-wound, low-scoring (with two bottom-10 offenses) fall ball.

Some smart money looks to have come in on the Under, but FanDuel Sportsbook lists an UNDER 8.5 (-104) play and that’s the one to leverage.