The Pittsburgh Pirates (55-88) head to the Big Apple to face the New York Mets (89-55) Thursday in the opener of a 4-game set at Citi Field. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Mets odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Mets lead 2-1
The Pirates completed a 4-game sweep over the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday and outscored them 23-8 in the process. They’re 6-4 over the last 10 but just 10-20 over the last 30 as they sit in the cellar of the NL Central.
The Mets were swept in a 3-game series by the Chicago Cubs to start the week. They have really had problems lately with the Atlanta Braves on their heels, just a half-game back in the NL East. The Mets are 4-6, 10-10 and 15-15 over the last 10, 20 and 30 games, respectively.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Pirates at Mets projected starters
RHP JT Brubaker vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco
Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 138 1/3 IP.
- Last 3 starts: 5.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.0 K/9
- 0-7 record on road but has a 3.88 ERA away from PNC Park vs. 4.88 at home
Carrasco (14-6, 3.80 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 135 IP.
- Last start: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K in a road win at the Miami Marlins
- 8-2, 3.35 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 at home
Pirates at Mets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:24 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Pirates +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Mets -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-108) | Mets -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Pirates at Mets picks and predictions
Prediction
Mets 5, Pirates 3
Money line
The Mets find a way in this one, but there’s no chance we’re risking -270 on them. Brubaker is better than his numbers indicate, but he has given up at least 3 runs in his last 3 starts.
Let’s take the METS OVER 2.5 TOTAL RUNS FIRST 5 INNINGS (-104).
Run line/Against the spread
These teams met for a 3-game series across 2 days a little over a week ago. None of the games were competitive with the Mets winning 5-1 and 10-0, and the Pirates winning the opener 8-2. This is a “get-right” game for New York.
The METS -1.5 (-112) is well within our ballpark.
Over/Under
The Pirates are 5-4-1 O/U over the last 10 games, and the Mets are 6-4. Two of the 3 previous games went well over this total. The wind is blowing in from left-center field at 7 mph, but that shouldn’t affect right-handed-hitting slugger 1B Pete Alonso.
LEAN OVER 7.5 (-107).
Want action on this game or any other MLB contests? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]