Twins vs Pirates Odds: Minnesota Small Road Favorites
Teams Meet in Pittsburgh For Three-Game Series
The Minnesota Twins (33-29) take to the road to visit the Pittsburgh Pirates Pirates (29-33) for a three-game series beginning Friday. The Twins have dropped three straight and are in third place in the AL Central.
Pittsburgh took two of three from the Dodgers, but are still bringing up the rear of the NL Central. Joe Ryan is expected to take the mound for Minnesota in the opener.
The Pirates will counter with Mitch Keller. The Twins vs Pirates odds have Minnesota favored -115 on the road.
- The total on the game is 7.5-over (-125). The Twins are +147 on the run line at -1.5 runs.
The Twins aren’t hitting for average, ranking No. 26 in MLB with a .229 team batting average. Minnesota does have a little power, as the Twins are tied at No. 9 in home runs and No. 4 in doubles.
The Twins are averaging 4.4 runs per game, so they’re doing a good job of cashing in on their opportunities. Minnesota does score more on the road, but also allows more runs.
The pitching staff has been below average, ranking No. 22 in team ERA. The bullpen has performed a little better than the starters with 21 saves and eight blown saves on the year.
The MLB standings 2024 are a bit misleading for the Twins. With a -5 run differential, Minnesota has an expected W-L record of 30-32, so they’re three games above that.
The Pirates are averaging 4.1 runs per game and are No. 23 in team batting with a .231 average. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown a lot of power and is No. 24 in home runs. The Pirates score slightly less at home, although the difference isn’t that great.
The Pirates are No. 16 in team ERA. The starters have carried most of the load, as the bullpen has been below average. Pittsburgh has 17 saves, but 13 blown saves and have been even worse at home.
Twins vs Pirates 
Day/Time:
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Streaming: Apple TV+
Friday’s Game
Ryan has been one of the bright spots for the Twins staff this year, especially when he’s on the road. Away from home, the Twins are 5-1 when Ryan takes the mound and his ERA is 2.48. The Twins have won seven of his 12 starts overall.
Keller has put together five straight strong starts and the Pirates have won all five of them. He’s gone at least six innings in each start and allowed two runs or less. The Pirates have been underdogs in the last four MLB games.
This is shaping up like one of the better MLB games today, at least from a pitching standpoint.
- The total is low, but taking the under 7.5 at +105 isn’t the worst bet you can make.
Saturday’s Game
Simeon Woods Richardson is scheduled to get the start for Minnesota. He’s been solid for the Twins, who are 7-2 when he starts.
Richardson is pitching to a 3.05 ERA for the season, although he’s been a little better at home. He isn’t likely to pitch far into the game. Richardson has gone six innings twice, but has been effective when in the rotation.
The Pirates haven’t named a starter for the game. Quinn Priester would be up in the rotation, but he was sent to the MLB injured list Thursday afternoon.
The Pirates will have to do something and the schedule isn’t really conducive to a bullpen game. Pittsburgh did sign relief pitcher Justin Bruihl on Thursday, so it’s anybody’s guess what this MLB team will do here.
The Twins vs Pirates odds will likely be a little high towards Minnesota, but right now, the Twins are the only way you can go in this one.
Sunday’s Game
Minnesota will send Bailey Ober to the mound for the series finale and he’s labored this season. Ober had a solid season for the MLB Twins last year, but hasn’t had the same success. Minnesota is 5-7 when he starts and his ERA is 4.97. His road numbers are slightly worse than when pitching at home.
The Pirates will go with Jared Jones, who has been solid, especially at home. He threw six scoreless innings against the Dodgers last start. Pittsburgh is 5-7 when he starts, although that’s been due to lack of offense. His season ERA is 3.25 and just 1.95 when he starts at home.
The Twins vs Pirates odds are likely to have Pittsburgh favored here, which makes sense, although the best play here could be the under, as Ober is a candidate to bounce back with a solid start.
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