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Wild-Card Contenders Pirates and D-backs Start Series

Chase Field has a contest on tap as the Pirates and the Diamondbacks will both be trying to pick up a win.

(Photo by Getty Images) Zac Gallen

Pittsburgh (52-50) at Arizona (53-50)

  • When: Jul 26 2024, 9:40 PM
  • Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
  • Where to watch: ARID

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Moneyline

Pittsburgh Pirates   +143
Arizona Diamondbacks   -174

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Runline

Pittsburgh Pirates   1.5 (-145)
Arizona Diamondbacks   -1.5 (+125)

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Total

Over   8.0 (-115)
Under   8.0 (-105)

Probable Pitchers:
Pittsburgh: Luis L. Ortiz (5-2, 2.57)
Arizona: Zac Gallen (7-5, 3.64)

Team Stats

Pirates   Diamondbacks
52-50 Record 53-50
26-24 Away & Home 27-26
8-2 Last 10 7-3
W1 Streak W2

Game Preview

With just 60 games remaining in the regular season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a golden opportunity to end their eight-year playoff drought. The team is heating up at the right time and will continue their postseason push in a crucial three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Friday night in Phoenix.

The Pirates, who have triumphed in 10 of their last 13 games, are in a tight contest for the National League wild-card spots. This upcoming series is particularly pivotal as both the Pirates and the Diamondbacks are vying for a spot, with only 1 1/2 games separating the teams from the third wild-card position.

Pittsburgh is coming off a successful homestand where they secured series victories against both the league-leading Philadelphia Phillies and the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. “It’s very important,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton about the recent wins. “We faced the best team in baseball and the team that’s right ahead of us. It’s crucial we keep up this momentum, especially coming out of the All-Star break.”

The Pirates will embark on a six-game road trip, starting with the Diamondbacks and then moving on to face the Houston Astros, carrying a strong sense of optimism.

However, they will be without All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds for the series opener as he was placed on the bereavement list Thursday after missing Wednesday’s game due to back spasms. Reynolds has been stellar in July, boasting five home runs and 15 RBIs with a .352 average for the month.

In Reynolds’ absence, Rowdy Tellez stepped up in the previous game, smashing a 447-foot homer, despite facing a left-handed pitcher—a rarity for him. “It’s about being prepared, regardless of who’s pitching,” Tellez remarked on his readiness and adaptability.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks come into the series with momentum of their own, having won eight of their last 11 games. This includes a recent series win against the Kansas City Royals, highlighted by a dramatic ninth-inning comeback led by Gabriel Moreno and a three-run homer from Ketel Marte.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo praised his team’s resilience, especially in clutch moments, highlighting Marte’s impactful performance. “Ketel wants to be in the heart of the action. He’s been fantastic, and he keeps delivering when we need him most,” Lovullo noted.

Luis Ortiz (5-2, 2.57 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh in the series opener. Coming off a stellar performance against the Phillies where he tossed seven scoreless innings, Ortiz looks to maintain his form and challenge the Diamondbacks’ hitters, including the formidable Marte.

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MLB Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Arizona 6-3
Expert Pick: Arizona -174 & Over 8 (-115)
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $294

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