The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-40) and Cleveland Indians (34-24) battle at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pirates-Indians MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Pirates at Indians: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Joe Musgrove vs. RHP Aaron Civale
Musgrove has had a difficult 2020 campaign, struggling with an 0-5 record, 4.68 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 32 2/3 innings in his seven starts this season.
- Musgrove is coming off his best outing of the season, allowing just three hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts in six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals last Sunday.
- Musgrove is enjoying his best month of the season, going 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA, four walks and 28 strikeouts across 18 innings in four September outings.
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Civale has been so-so this season, going 4-5 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.26 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 70 innings in 11 starts.
- Civale has been an innings eater for manager Terry Francona, lasting at least six innings in each of his 11 starts so far this season.
- Civale’s only complete game of the season came against the Bucs, allowing just one earned run, five hits and no walks with six strikeouts in a 6-1 win at Pittsburgh Aug. 19.
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Pirates at Indians: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Indians 7, Pirates 3
Money line (ML)
The Indians (-182) are a little too expensive for my liking, although unlikely some playoff-bound teams, they still have a lot left to play for. They trail the Minnesota Twins by one game with two left for the American League Central title, and they’re tied with the Chicago White Sox for second place. They cannot afford a loss to the lowly Pirates (+165). AVOID, and look to the run line.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on Cleveland returns a profit of $5.49.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The INDIANS (-1.5, +110) are a much better play on the run line at plus-money against the winless Musgrove. Cleveland will break out the lumber against the Pirates, who have long since mailed it in.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 8 (-110) is a good play, as the Indians should manage more runs against Musgrove than the Tribe did in Friday’s interleague series opener against a left-handed starter. The over is 9-4 in the past 13 interleague road games for the Bucs, while going 8-3 in Cleveland’s past 11 with a total set between 7.0 and 8.5 runs.
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