Reds vs. Pirates Prediction: Castillo Will Silence Pittsburgh's Lineup
By Thomas Snodgrass
The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates will face off in the final series of the 162-game schedule, as two NL Central clubs on the outside of the playoff picture duke it out at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The Reds will send Luis Castillo to the hill tonight and should have an advantage in the pitching matchup, with Castillo posting a 2.62 ERA in his last seven starts. Castillo has surprisingly not pitched against the Pirates since Apr. 7th when he hurled seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits, one walk, and striking out five.
Castillo’s mound opponent will be Wil Crowe, who has posted a ghastly 7.12 ERA in his last seven starts. Crowe has also only pitched against his division rival Cincinnati once this season on Aug. 5th, pitching four innings and allowing eight hits, seven runs, only three earned runs (all on home runs), two walks, and striking out five and taking the loss.
Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez, and NL-Rookie of the Year candidate Jonathan India hit three home runs against Crowe in the Reds win on Aug. 5th.
Here are the odds for this NL Central showdown, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Pirates vs. Reds Odds
Moneyline:
Reds :-190
Pirates: +160
Run Line:
Reds: -1.5 (-115)
Pirates: +1.5 (-105)
Total:
8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Pirates vs. Reds Prediction
The Pirates have 100 losses, but they still have some October baseball!
Unfortunately, it’s meaningless.
Castillo has pitched very well for months now, recording an ERA of 3.28 since the All-Star break. He will get to face this Pirates team that has hit the century mark in losses and has a run differential of -230, second worst only to the Baltimore Orioles.
Whatever lineup that manager Derek Shelton trots out there for the Buccos will stand little chance against the Reds. Which Pittsburgh hitter is going to get to Castillo, Kevin Newman? Cole Tucker? Wilmer Difo? Hoy Park?
Give me the team with Joey Votto, Nicholas Castellanos, Eugenio Suarez and Jonthan India, with Castillo on the mound.
I’m taking the Reds at -190.
Sorry, Pittsburgh.
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