[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The Pittsburgh Pirates (74-85) and the New York Yankees (93-66) begin a 3-game interleague series Friday at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network/ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Yankees won 2-1 in 2023
The Pirates dropped 2 of 3 games against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday through Thursday, and Pittsburgh has dropped 4 consecutive series, going 4-9 in the past 13 games since sweeping a 3-game set with the Miami Marlins Sept. 9-11.
The Under has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games for the Bucs, while going 9-3 in the previous 12 outings. In interleague play, Pittsburgh has seen the Under go 7-2 in the past 9 tries.
For the Yankees, they’ve clinched the AL East Division title and enter the weekend just 1 game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the top seed in the AL playoffs.
New York won 10-1 on Thursday to clinch the AL East, and it is 10-4 since Sept. 11. The Over is 4-0-1 in the past 5 outings. Against the NL, the Yankees are just 3-5 in the past 8 outings, while the Over has cashed in the past 5 interleague games at home.
Pirates at Yankees projected starters
RHP Jared Jones vs. LHP Carlos Rodon
Jones (6-8, 4.14 ERA) makes his 22nd career start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 117 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 6 ER, 6 H (2 HR), 3 BB, 5 K in 7-1 road setback vs. Cincinnati Reds last Saturday
- Career/2024 road splits: 2-5, 5.96 ERA, 48 1/3 IP, 32 ER, 46 H, 10 HR, 13 BB, 52 K, .250 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 1.22 WHIP in 9 starts
- Last 7 games: 2-2, 4.93 ERA, 38 1/3 IP, 21 ER, 34 H, 15 BB, 40 K, 1.28 WHIP
- Has never faced Yankees
Rodon (16-9, 3.98 ERA) makes his 32nd start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 10.1 K/9 in 169 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 10-0 road victory vs. Oakland Athletics last Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 9-2, 3.09 ERA, 75 2/3 IP, 26 ER, 13 HR, 23 BB, 86 K, .202 OBA, 1.06 WHIP in 13 starts
- Last 7 games: 3-2, 3.29 ERA, 38 1/3 IP, 14 ER, 10 BB, 47 K, 1.20 WHIP
- Career vs. Pirates: 3-2, 3.99 ERA, 29 1/3 IP, 13 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 33 K, 1.09 WHIP in 5 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Pirates at Yankees odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 6:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Yankees -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-130) | Yankees -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Pirates at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 6, Pirates 3
Moneyline
The Yankees (-185) are just a little too expensive for a standalone bet, costing you nearly 2 times your potential return. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, it’s perfectly fine to toss the Bronx Bombers in.
For a singular bet, PASS, and look to the run line instead.
Run line/Against the spread
Back the YANKEES -1.5 (+110) at plus-money laying the run and a half.
While the Pirates +1.5 (-130) are a respectable 23-23 against left-handed starting pitchers, it’s Jones who cannot be trusted. He has been phenomenal in his 1st season in the majors at home, but on the road he has been a disaster. He has a 2-5 record with a 5.96 ERA, and the Bronx Bombers are likely to send him off into the offseason with another L.
Over/Under
OVER 8 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play.
The Yankees have cashed high on the total at a 4-0-1 clip in the past 5 games, while going Over at a 12-4 rate in the past 16 interleague contest at The Stadium.
For the Bucs, the Over has hit in just 1 of the past 5 outings. The total has gone high in 4 of the past 5 road starts for Jones, however.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
Subscribe now to dominate the competition.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]