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Pirates vs. Brewers Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, April 20 (Pittsburgh in for 'Ruff' Afternoon)

By Matt De Saro

Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff.
Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff. / Stacy Revere/GettyImages
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Has the Pittsburgh Pirates' hot start finally cooled off? Starting the season around .500 would be lukewarm at best for most teams, but it is significant for the Pirates. 

Heading into their series against Milwaukee, Pittsburgh had won four of their last five games against the Cubs and Nationals. The Pirates outscored their opponents in those games by a combined score of 26-13 as their offense continues to hit for a high average.  I am in no way sold on this team, but, I will have to pump the brakes on auto-fading them most nights until they cool off a bit more. 

A trip to Milwaukee could do just that. The Brewers have picked up the pace after a rough first week and a half of the season, but still not playing up to their potential out of the gate. 

So, it's a battle of the overachievers vs the underachievers on a Wednesday afternoon. Who comes out on top?

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

Pirates vs. Brewers Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Pirates: +1.5 (+105)
  • Brewers: -1.5 (-105)

Moneyline:

  • Pirates: +210
  • Brewers: -245

Total: 8 (Over -105/Under -115)

Pirates vs. Brewers Prediction and Pick

Brandon Woodruff proved me wrong last week against the Cardinals by tossing five shutout innings in a much-needed bounce-back game. Woodruff opened the season by surrendering seven earned runs in 3 ⅔ innings against the Cubs. I still want to see better efficiency after Woodruff needed 178 pitches to make it through his first 8 ⅔ innings. 

The Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller has been more consistent this year. This helps because we have a better idea of what we are getting. And what we are getting is an 0-2 record with a 9.39 ERA. See, Keller has been consistently bad this season. At least in his first two starts. In his first seven innings of 2022, Keller has given up 13 hits, eight earned runs, and five walks. His WHIP of 2.35 is borderline offensive. Problem is, the Pirates don’t have other options. They have stripped their roster bare to begin a massive rebuild. Keller is a necessary evil as part of that plan. 

The Brewers won the National League Central last year and have a mugh higher ceiling than the Pirates. This could be an ideal sitaution to further stoke the fires under the Brewers offense.

Pick: Brewers -1.5 RL 

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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