Pirates-Padres prediction, odds, pick, how to watch

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in Southern California to take on the San Diego Padresseries as we hand out a Pirates-Padres prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

The Pirates swept the Padres earlier this season, but that was when they were playing well. In that series, the Pirates hit .347 and slugged .505. Carlos Santana and Henry Davis each had seven hits in the series. Santana had two home runs while Nick Gonzales and Jack Suwinski each had one. Andrew McCutchen had six hits, as well. On the mound, the Pirates had a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP. and 7.0 K/9 against the Padres. Mitch Keller registered a quality start, but he was the only one.

The Padres hit .245 in the series in Pittsburgh. Ha-Seong Kim led the team with five hits, including a home run. Trent Grisham had the only other home run for San Diego in the three game series. Xander Bogaerts had four hits with a double. On the mound the Padres had a 7.13 ERA against the Pirates. Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell registered quality starts in the series, though.

Quinn Priester will be making his second start of his career in this one. Yu Darvish will get the start for San Diego.

Here are the Pirates-Padres MLB odds,

MLB Odds: Pirates-Padres Odds

Pittsburgh Pirates: +1.5 (+104)

San Diego Padres: -1.5 (-125)

Over: 8.5 (-104)

Under: 8.5 (-118)

How To Watch Pirates vs. Padres

TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, Bally Sports San Diego

Stream: MLB TV subscription

Time: 9:40 PM ET/6:40 PM PT

*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Pirates Could Cover The Spread

Priester is making his second career start after a rough debut. The rookie started off very good as held the opposition scoreless through the first three innings. After five innings, Priester had given up three earned runs, but that is still a pretty good outing. He went out for the sixth inning, and that is when everything went downhill. Take out his sixth innings and you have a pretty good debut from Priester. The Padres bottom-10 in the MLB in batting average, but Priester can not take them lightly. If Priester can go five strong again, or get over that hump in the sixth inning, the Pirates will be able to cover the spread.

Why The Padres Could Cover The Spread

Darvish has been pitching very well in July. He has made three starts, and has 17 innings pitched. In those innings, Darvish has allowed 16 hits, just four runs, and he has struck out 20. In his last two starts, Darvish has allowed only one run on nine hits. The Pirates have been struggling for a while now and are not great offensively. Darvish should be able to shut them down and continue his hot month of July.

Darvish has a 4.36 ERA on the season, but he has been better at home. He has given up less runs and struck out more batters, but his oBA is around the same. All that really matters is the runs allowed though. If Darvish can hold the Pirates down, and continue pitching well at home, the Padres should be able to cover this spread.

Final Pirates-Padres Prediction & Pick

I personally hope Priester has a good start in this one. However, I have to lean towards San Diego. The Pirates have not been playing well, and Darvish is better at home. I think the Padres will cover the spread as they win this game.

Final Pirates-Padres Prediction & Pick: Padres -1.5 (-125), Under 8.5 (-118)