Pirates vs Marlins Preview: Surprising Marlins Look To Extend Pittsburgh’s losing ways
Keller and Garrett Are Set to Square Off in Series Opener Between the Pirates and Marlins
Miami Has Been One of the Top Teams in the National League in the month of June
The two teams headed in opposite directions are set for a four-game series with the Pirates vs Marlins preview favoring the host team.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting just .224 in the month of June and the Milwaukee Brewers are the only National League team with a lower batting average. Miami is 13-6 in June and the 3.48 team ERA ranks seventh in the majors.
The best pitching matchup might come in Thursday’s opener with Mitch Keller scheduled to get the ball for the Pirates and Braxton Garrett going for the Marlins. Keller is second in the National League with 108 strikeouts while Garrett has allowed one run and struck out 17 batters in 11.1 innings in his last two starts.
When looking at the MLB divisional standings, Miami is sitting second in the National League East, while Pittsburgh has fallen to fourth in the National League Central.
Miami (+5000) is ninth among National League teams in the odds to win the MLB World Series, with the Pirates well back at +20000 in the MLB championship odds.
Pirates vs Marlins
Day/Time:
Location: LoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
Streaming: AT&T Pittsburgh, Bally Sports Florida and AppleTV+
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Thursday: Mitch Keller (Pirates) vs Braxton Garrett (Marlins)
- Friday: Luis Ortiz (Pirates) vs Jesus Luzardo (Marlins)
- Saturday: Osvaldo Bido (Pirates) vs Bryan Hoeing (Marlins)
- Sunday: Johan Oviedo (Pirates) vs Eury Perez (Marlins)
Pirates Coming Up Empty
Pittsburgh has been shut out three times in the last five games as the Pirates have dropped nine games in a row, all coming to fellow National League Central Division teams.
Things have unraveled after the Pirates opened June by winning six of nine games. Now the Pirates are the underdogs, according to the Pirates vs Marlins preview.
There are many reasons for the struggles. However, it hasn’t helped that the top three spots in the batting order are 4-for-30 over the last three games. The Pirates are 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the previous three contests.
Four of Pittsburgh’s last five games finished under the total.
Arraez Eyeing the .400 Mark
Luis Arraez finished five games in June hitting at least .400. He could get there again by going 3-for-4 or 3-for-5 in the series opener.
Arraez, who won the 2022 American League batting title with the Minnesota Twins before being traded for pitcher Pablo Lopez, is hitting .440 in June to push his average to .398. He has nine multi-hit games in June alone, with the Marlins going 8-1 in those contests.
The total has gone under in 13 of Miami’s last 20 games against NL Central Division teams.
Who’s Hot
- Jon Berti, Miami Marlins IF: Berti is 8-for-19 with two doubles in his last five games.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates 3B: Hayes is batting .357 with six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in June.
- Luis Ortiz, Pittsburgh Pirates P: Ortiz has allowed two runs or less in three of his last four starts.
- Eury Perez, Miami Marlins P: Perez has allowed one run in 27 innings over his last five starts. He has surrendered 16 hits and struck out 29 during that span.
Who’s Not
- Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins 1B: Cooper is batting .185 with one extra-base hit in his last seven MLB games.
- Dauri Moreta, Pittsburgh Pirates P: Moreta has allowed three hits in five runs while recording just four outs while facing nine batters in his last two games.
- Tanner Scott, Miami Marlins P: Scott has given up five hits and three runs in 1.2 innings in his last two appearances.
- Jack Suwinski, Pittsburgh Pirates OF: Suwinski is 0-for-21 with eight strikeouts in his last eight games.
Pirates vs Marlins Injury Update
Outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds are questionable for the Pirates, as both have missed the last two games. First baseman Ji-Man Choi and pitcher Wil Crowe are not expected back until July.
For the Marlins, outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and pitchers Johnny Cueto, Tommy Nance, and Trevor Rogers are out until next month.
Pirates vs Marlins Betting Preview
The Pirates aren’t hitting or pitching particularly well these days, and Miami is putting together an impressive run of success in June, so it is hard to go against the Marlins in this series.
Miami is 22-15 at home this season, with the Pirates just 16-20 on the road.
The Marlins have won four of the last five meetings against the Pirates. Eight of the previous 12 games between the teams have finished as one-run affairs.
Miami is 21-11 when listed as the favorite, with Pittsburgh 21-32 as the underdog. Pittsburgh has covered 19 of its 36 road games. Miami is just 16-21 against the spread at home.
The Marlins are priced at -134 to win the series opener, and the total is set at 7 juiced toward the over at -120.
For MLB betting news, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
