Reds vs Pirates Prediction - MLB Picks 4/22/23

Pittsburgh Pirates (13-7) vs Cincinnati Reds (7-12)

Game Info: Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 6:35 pm (PNC Park)

Rich Hill (1-2) (5.57) vs Luis Cessa (0-2) (13.50)

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -156 / Cincinnati Reds +120 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Cincinnati Reds for game three of their weekend series from PNC Park. Pittsburgh took the second game after pulling away late, 4-2.

Reds Betting Preview

Cincinnati moved to 7-13 after losing to Pittsburgh. The Reds have dropped four in a row, and it looks like it will be a long, hot summer for them. The Cincinnati offense is scoring 3.78 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .329 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.92 ERA, with a 1.60 WHIP. Jonathan India leads the team in batting (.318), after getting three hits in game one. TJ Friedl has a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he’s right behind India for the team-lead at .300.

Luis Cessa (0-2, 13.50 ERA, 3 Ks) will take the mound for Cincinnati. The eighth-year pitcher was blitzed at home by Philadelphia last week in an embarrassing outing. Cessa gave up an abysmal eleven runs in three innings pitched, and you have to wonder how vulnerable he will be in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Pirates Betting Preview

Pittsburgh comes in 14-7 after defeating Cincinnati. The Pirates have won five straight games, and they look like they’ll be players in the NL Central this season. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 3.95 runs per game, while batting .246, with a .325 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.15 ERA, with a 1.43 WHIP. Connor Joe is first on the team in batting (.377), after recording multiple hits in three of the last four games. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates in homers (5) and RBI (17), and he’ll look to break a three-game hitless streak this weekend. Carlos Santana has produced a RBI in four of the last five games, and he’s second on the team with 11.

Rich Hill (1-2, 5.57 ERA, 15 Ks) will pitch for Pittsburgh. The ageless wonder turned back the clock in Coors on Monday versus the Rockies, striking out seven on six innings of work, while allowing just one run at the hitter-friendly ballpark. Hill held the defending champion Astros to two runs in his last home start, and he tossed seven strikeouts in five innings versus Cincy in his season debut.

Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh Trends

Cincinnati is 12-8 against the spread this season, with a 11-9 over/under record. Pittsburgh is 13-8 ATS this year, with a 9-11-1 O/U record.

Corey's Free Pick

These two NL Central teams appear to be headed in different directions this season, and with Luis Cessa set to go for Cincinnati, look for those trends to continue. Pittsburgh can make it six straight with a win, and their offense should be able to power them to another victory. Back the Pirates Saturday, and with Rich Hill representing the oldest pitcher in baseball, give the over a look for insurance, as both starters should end up allowing production.