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Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates predictions, picks and best bets

Johnny Rosenstein  |  Sportsbook Wire

The Detroit Tigers (25-43) and Pittsburgh Pirates (32-39) open a two-game series at PNC Park Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern.

The Tigers are on a four-game losing streak after dropping three in a row at the Cleveland Indians. The Pirates return from a dismal 2-8 road trip but won 5-4 at the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at Paste BN Sports.

Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates: Projected Starting Pitchers

LHP Daniel Norris vs. RHP Mitch Keller

Norris, on a four-game skid, is 2-5 with a 4.52 ERA and a 3/1 K-BB ratio in 14 appearances (11 starts). Last outing: Allowed two runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five innings of a no-decision, 3-2 win at the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Misc.: Worked five innings or more in every start. Career vs. Pirates: One appearance, yielding one run in two innings of relief in 2018.

Keller is 0-1 with a 15.43 ERA and a 9/4 K-BB ratio in two starts. Last outing: Gave up six runs on 10 hits and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings of a no-decision, 8-7 loss at the Atlanta Braves Wednesday. Misc.: Allowed six first-inning runs and lasted just four innings in his MLB debut May 27, an 8-1 loss at the Cincinnati Reds. Opponents are hitting .472 vs. the rookie right-hander.

Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates: By the Numbers

  • Pirates 1B Josh Bell, who leads the majors with 65 RBIs, is a .311 career hitter (14-for-45) with one home run and nine RBIs in 12 games vs. the Tigers.
  • The Tigers are 3-8 in Norris' 11 starts. The Pirates are 0-2 in Keller's starts.

  • The Pirates swept a two-game series at Detroit in April, winning both games in 10 innings.
  • Pittsburgh won last year's season series 5-1.

Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates: Key Injuries

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli (concussion), SPs Jordan Lyles (hamstring) and Trevor Williams (upper body) are on the 10-day injured list. Williams is expected to be activated Wednesday; Lyles should return by the weekend.

Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates: Picks and Betting Tips

</div> <p> <strong>Moneyline:</strong> The Pirates ( <strong>-152</strong>) are the STRONGEST PLAY. They are 10-2 in their last 12 vs. the Tigers (+132). Plus, Detroit is 3-11 in June and 7-23 since May 13. The Tigers are also 2-7 in Norris' last nine road starts</p> <p> <strong>Run line:</strong> The Pirates ( <strong>-1.5, +136</strong>) offer decent value and is worth a play. The Tigers are +1.5, -160.</p> <p> <strong>Over/under:</strong> Go with the <strong>OVER 8.5</strong> ( <strong>-116</strong>). While the Tigers are one of the better UNDER teams with a 29-35-4 O/U record, the Pirates are the best NL OVER club at 43-27-1 and the top MLB home team at 21-10. The Tigers are 11-20-1 O/U on the road. Plus, the O/U is 15-4 in the last 19 head-to-head meetings, including 5-2 in the last seven in Pittsburgh.</p> <p> <strong>Johnny's June MLB record</strong>: 13-10. <strong>Strongest plays</strong>: 6-4.</p> <p> <em>Follow Johnny on Twitter <strong> <a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyParlay11">@JohnnyParlay11</a> </strong> </em> </p> <p><strong>MORE:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/burmese-python-discovered-in-surprising-place/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Burmese python discovered in surprising place</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-fighter-makes-opponent-flinch-by-screaming-in-his-face-during-staredown/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">UFC fighter makes opponent flinch by screaming in his face during staredown</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/rangers-mike-minor-200th-strike-out-after-not-catching-foul-ball-on-purpose/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Rangers ripped for not catching easy foul ball so pitcher could reach milestone</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/jaguars-gardner-minshew-meets-uncle-rico/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Gardner Minshew finally got to meet 'Uncle Rico' and NFL fans loved it</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/packers-eagles-goal-line-passes/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Packers' puzzling goal-line decisions end in disaster</a></p></body></html>

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