The Cleveland Guardians (47-48) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-54) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Wednesday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. ET. (ESPN+/MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 2-0
The Guardians slinked into the Steel City on a 4-game losing streak, but Cleveland has gotten well in Pittsburgh. The Guthe ardians put it to the Bucs 10-1 in Tuesday’s middle game after winning 11-0 in Monday’s series opener. It’s the 1st time this season Cleveland has racked up double-digit run totals against the same opponent in consecutive games.
The Pirates have dropped 5 straight games and are just 1-9 in the past 10 games overall. Pittsburgh has lost 4 consecutive interleague games and has cashed the Over in 3 straight outings.
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Guardians at Pirates projected starters
RHP Aaron Civale vs. LHP Rich Hill
Civale (3-2, 2.65 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 57 2/3 innings.
- Last appearance: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K in a 12-4 road loss vs. the Texas Rangers Friday
- 2023 road splits: 1-1, 1.69 ERA (26 2/3 IP, 5 ER – 3 HR), .198 opponent batting average (OBA) in 5 starts
Hill (7-9, 4.76 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 104 innings.
- Last appearance: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 6-4 home loss vs. the San Francisco Giants Friday
- 2023 home splits: 4-5, 4.80 ERA (65 2/3 IP, 35 ER – 8 HR), .273 OBA in 12 starts
Guardians at Pirates odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Pirates +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+116) | Pirates +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Guardians at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 6, Pirates 3
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-132) are worth playing in the series finale, as the Pirates have offered very little resistance in the first 2 games of this series.
Cleveland has outscored Pittsburgh 21-1 so far in this set, so what’s going to change Wednesday? The Guards are using Civale, who has been money on the road this season, and the Bucs counter with Hill, who has been subpar while looking his age. Back the visitors as they break out the brooms.
Run line/Against the spread
The GUARDIANS -1.5 (+116) are worth playing lightly at plus money. Cleveland easily cashed in the first 2 games on the run line, but you have to figure Pittsburgh will keep this one a little closer.
One negative note on Civale is that he has a 4.58 ERA in 17 2/3 IP across 3 daytime starts. However, Hill has a 4.64 ERA across 54 1/3 IP over 10 starts under the sun, so there’s that.
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Over/Under
Over/Under 9 (-110) is a PASS for me, as I expect the total to fall with exactly 9 runs. If there was a lean, it would be to go high, as Cleveland has hit the Over on its own in each of the first 2 games.
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