Padres vs. Pirates Prediction and Odds for Friday, April 29 (Darvish is Dealing for the Friars)

The San Diego Padres continue their road trip on Friday when they head to PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Friday’s game will kick off a three-game series between two teams who are struggling to find their identity this early in the year. 

The Padres are definitely having a stronger season and have won two of their last three series. Those two series were against the lowly Reds, but a win is a win. 

On the Pirates' side of things, I have to say I am impressed at their early success. I didn’t expect much of anything from Pittsburgh and they have exceeded my expectations. They are not in last place in the division and despite having a losing record, are hitting the ball well so far. 

Zach Thompson gets the nod tonight for the Pirates and that is where the good news for this team ends. Meanwhile, Yu Darvish will be on the hill for the Friars as they look to score another series win over a weak opponent. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Padres vs. Pirates Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

• Padres: -1.5 
• Pirates: +1.5 

Moneyline:

• Padres: 
• Pirates: 

Total:

• Total (Over -110/Under -110)

Padres vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

A starting pitcher should bring confidence to the mound and is expected to give his team the best chance to win on any given day. Thomson is basically the opposite of all those feel-good ideas. He enters Friday with an abysmal 10.80 ERA and 2.70 WHIP. And he has been getting worse and worse each start. He started the year with a two-run day against the Cubs. Last Saturday, in his most recent start, the Cubs scored four earned runs in two innings against the righty -- and the Cubs aren’t even good. Thomson gave up nine hits, two walks, and one homer in that game. He only struck out one and looked overmatched by a weak Cubs offense. 

Yu Darvish, on the other hand, continues to be a middle-of-the-road starter. He has been phenomenal this year aside from one bad start. He got crushed by the Giants in his second start of the year with nine runs in 1 ⅔ inning of work. However, in the 18 ⅔ innings outside of that game, Darvish has given up just one run on five hits. His last game against the Dodgers was amazing. He gave up just one hit in six innings while striking out seven. 

If Darvish can shut down the Dodgers lineup like that, imagine how bad the Pirates are going to do tonight. 

Pick: Padres RL 

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE