In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 20th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers are 36-39 this year after they lost all three games against Kansas City by scores of 1-6, 3-6, and 1-4. In their game three loss, Texas cut the deficit to 3-1 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t get any closer in the loss. The Rangers recorded three hits in the game and they were led by Semien, who went 1-4 with one RBI in the loss. Texas started Armstrong, who allowed one hit and two earned runs over 1.0 inning for the loss, while Latz allowed three hits and one earned run over 5.2 innings as the bulk pitcher. 

Prior to that series, the Rangers swept the White Sox in three games and won two out of three against the Twins. Texas has won four of their last seven games and they are currently fourth in the AL West standings. The Texas pitching staff has a 3.20 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a .223 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 270 runs with a .228 batting average and a .293 on base percentage this season. Adolis Garcia has led Texas with eight home runs and 35 RBIs, while Wyatt Langford has added 13 home runs and 31 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Texas is Jacob deGrom, who is 6-2 with a 2.19 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over 82.1 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 30-46 this season after they lost two out of three against Detroit by scores of 3-7, 2-9, and 8-4. In their game three win, Pittsburgh blew a 4-0 lead, but they rallied with four runs in the 10th to get the win. The Pirates recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Triolo and Kiner-Falefa, who both had two RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Skenes, who allowed three hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Bednar picked up the win in relief. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates lost three out of four against the Cubs, but did win two out of three against the Marlins before that. Pittsburgh has lost four of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.82 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 245 runs with a .225 batting average and a .302 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added eight home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mike Burrows, who is 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 23.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Rangers
The Pirates have won three of their last four games as home underdogs.
The Rangers have lost five of their last seven games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as home underdogs after going to extra innings.
The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games.

Why the Rangers will beat the Pirates
The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine home games against American League opponents following a win.
The Rangers have won each of their last four games against National League opponents following a home loss.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against American League opponents following a win.
The Rangers have covered the run line in six of their last seven road games against National League opponents.
The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games at PNC Park against American League opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts
Eight of the Pirates’ last nine games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Seven of the Rangers’ last eight games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Pirates’ last eight night games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last three games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
Andrew McCutchen has recorded a Double in three of the Pirates’ last four night games against opponents that held a losing record.
Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Pirates’ last five home games.
Oneil Cruz has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.
Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine games against opponents that held a losing record.
Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three home games against AL opponents that held a losing record.

Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
Jacob deGrom has recorded a win in six of his last eight appearances with the Rangers as favorites.
Jacob deGrom has recorded seven or more strikeouts in 12 of his last 13 appearances with his team as a favorite against NL opponents.
Marcus Semien has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rangers’ last eight games against opponents that held a losing record.
Joc Pederson has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances against the Pirates.
Joc Pederson has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Pirates at PNC Park.
Joc Pederson has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Rangers vs Pirates Prediction 
Pittsburgh was able to avoid the series sweep with a win in game two of their doubleheader on Thursday, but they have struggled to hit the ball all season. The Pirates are 19-19 at home this year, while the Rangers are 13-23 on the road. Texas was just swept at home by KC and they have scored a total of seven runs in their last four games. I really don’t trust either lineup to generate many runs, but deGrom has a big advantage over Burrows on the mound. Take the Rangers -1.5 here. 

David Racey's Pick: Rangers -1.5