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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
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines updated at 3:27 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Marlins -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Pirates +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Marlins -1.5 (+140) | Pirates +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Marlins at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Marlins 4, Pirates 3
Moneyline
Not enough to like on the mound for either side. Miami is priced about right in this spot. PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Same as above but with a few extra ounces of juice. AVOID.
Over/Under
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.
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