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Yesterday we brought up the fact that the Arizona Diamondbacks have gone 12-1 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, and that record just got all the more bloated. Somehow this trend looks better when we present it as the Pirates being 1-13 versus Arizona.
The line on this game has moved from Arizona -140 to -161 at some of the more recreational books, but you can still find the line at -152 some books.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (1-4, 4.20 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (3-1, 2.98)
Musgrove's superb April has become a distant memory as he has surrendered 15 runs - 13 earned - on 12 hits and seven walks over 5 2/3 innings in two starts this month, both of which were losses. The 26-year-old Californian has lost four straight decisions, with three of the setbacks coming on the road. Musgrove has not fared well against Arizona in his career, going 0-1 while yielding 11 runs and 18 hits over 17 1/3 frames in three starts - including a no-decision on April 22 - and one relief appearance.
Pittsburgh is 1-8 in Musgrove’s last 9 road starts.
Weaver has allowed fewer than two runs in four of his last five starts, notching victories in three of those turns. The 25-year-old Floridian settled for a no-decision against Atlanta on Thursday despite giving up one run and three hits over seven innings for a second straight outing. Weaver permitted one run and six hits over 6 1/3 frames in a win at Pittsburgh on April 23 to improve to 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in five starts and three relief appearances against the Pirates in his career.
Want to know if the top sports services like Doc's Sports are riding this trend too, or might they see something that will shatter this trend?
Be sure to catch our friend Tony George giving his free picks here
Cubs vs. Reds Preview
Our friend Tony George has his free pick on this game Tuesday May 14.
The Cubs have really turned things around after a sluggish start to the season. They've won eight of their last ten overall and are now 24-14.
The Cubs are 8-2 in the last ten meetings facing Cincinnati, but all of those were played in Chicago.
An interesting little stat, the Cubs are 6-0 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-4, 3.19 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tanner Roark (3-1, 3.27)
Hendricks has been outstanding in his last two starts, allowing one unearned run over 17 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The 29-year-old has been efficient - after an 81-pitch shutout against St. Louis on May 3, he needed only 96 pitches to get through eight innings Wednesday against Miami. Hendricks is 5-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, but he has been tagged for 23 runs (22 earned) in 34 1/3 innings across six starts in Cincinnati.
Roark has posted quality starts in each of his last two outings, winning both. The 32-year-old threw six shutout innings last time out at Oakland after limiting San Francisco to two runs over 6 2/3 innings in his previous turn. Roark, an Illinois native, is 5-2 with a 3.77 ERA in eight games (seven starts) against the Cubs.
- Tony Caliente, Gambling911.com
