Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers: Moneyline
Free Pick: Milwaukee Moneyline
When the Pirates roll into Miller Park to take on the Milwaukee Brewers, the pitching matchup will be one of the most interesting of this week in baseball. The Pirates have come up with some strong pitching performances in the first month of the season, and a couple of those are the work of right hander Ian Snell. Snell flashed brilliance in 2007, but came crashing down to earth in 2008. He has good stuff, with a mid-90s fastball and good slider, but Snell’s bugaboo has been control in the last couple of years. After going seven scoreless innings against Atlanta two starts ago, Snell was roughed up in San Diego of all places last time out.
Opposing Snell will be one of this season’s breakout candidates in fellow righty Yovani Gallardo. Much like Snell in 2007, Gallardo has burst onto the scene, displaying excellent stuff and the ability to strike out hitters. He’s also working deep into games, having gone complete in two of his starts thus far. Gallardo features a four-pitch arsenal and has an ERA under 2.00. For those wondering if this guy is for real, it shouldn’t take too much longer for Gallardo to remove any questions about his legitimacy.
When we break down this game, it’s easy to envision a scenario where the patient Milwaukee hitters force Ian Snell into bad counts and pound the baseball. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun seem to be hitting their stride, and Rickie Weeks got back into form with a home run on Monday. On the other side, the Pirates lineup is hurting, quite literally. They lack a tremendous amount of punch with regulars Nate McClouth and Ryan Doumit currently out of the lineup.
Here, we have a better lineup, a significantly better and more seasoned pitcher, and the team is playing at home. Gallardo should be a lock to hold the Pirates to three runs or less, and it’s hard to envision a scenario where Pittsburgh holds the Brewers to less than five runs. Play the run line, and watch the Brew Crew pound away at an erratic Snell.
Pick: Milwaukee Brewers Moneyline
Check out all of our Baseball picks.
Related posts: