The Pittsburgh Pirates (38-52) are set to face the Seattle Mariners (47-42) this Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park, with the first pitch slated for 4:10 p.m. ET. As the season series currently stands, the Mariners have a 2-0 lead over the Pirates.
The Pirates are coming off two disappointing losses in Seattle, suffering shutouts to the Mariners with scores of 6-0 and 1-0. In these games, the Pirates managed just two hits, both from Spencer Horwitz, marking their second consecutive shutout loss after having won three straight games without allowing a run against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In contrast, the Mariners enter the game with momentum, having won three of their last four. Their latest victory featured a sixth-inning double from Ben Williamson, while starting pitcher Luis Castillo performed impressively, earning a win with a record of 5-5 after throwing seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits with eight strikeouts.
The projected starters for the matchup are right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes for the Pirates and George Kirby for the Mariners. Skenes holds a record of 4-7 with a commendable 2.03 ERA, having recorded a 0.92 WHIP and averages of 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings across 111 innings pitched. His last outing resulted in a no-decision against the Cardinals, where he pitched five scoreless innings.
On the other hand, Kirby has a record of 2-4 and a 4.85 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. He recently secured a win against the Kansas City Royals, allowing just one earned run over six innings.
Betting odds show the teams evenly matched, with both the Pirates and Mariners listed at -110 on the moneyline. The run line favors the Pirates at -1.5 (+165) while the Mariners sit at +1.5 (-200). The over/under for the game is set at 6.5.
Predicted outcomes from experts suggest the Pirates might edge the Mariners with a score of 3-2, especially with Skenes on the mound, as the team has excelled in games he’s started. However, despite recent struggles, the Pirates have a history of scoring well, making them a potential candidate for a surprise win. Additionally, taking the under on total runs scored could be a wise choice, considering recent patterns in both teams’ performances.
Overall, while the Pirates face some challenges, they have shown resilience and potential to bounce back. The matchup promises to be a competitive one, reflecting the unpredictable nature of baseball where any team can triumph on any given day.