MLB picks: Red Sox vs. Marlins, Pirates vs. Reds (Sept. 16)

With less than two weeks until the playoffs begin, the Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds could both use a win on Wednesday night to aid their cause. The former will take on the Boston Red Sox, while the latter will host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here are our betting previews for each contest.

Boston Red Sox (18-31) at Miami Marlins (24-22), 6:40 p.m. ET

The Marlins were blanked by the Red Sox on Tuesday night, but that result seems like a fluke based on how Boston has pitched this year. Bettors should expect Miami to bounce back in this spot behind the arm of Trevor Rogers.

Rogers (1-1, 6.50 ERA) had a 3.00 ERA over his first three big-league starts before imploding against a solid Phillies lineup (fifth in runs per game at 5.26) on Friday. Boston's modest lineup (18th in runs per game at 4.61) is a much smaller threat to the rookie from New Mexico.

Mike Kickham, three starts into his second go-around in the majors (he previously pitched in 2013 and 2014), responds for Boston in this one. He hasn’t really impressed in just nine innings of work, allowing five runs on 11 hits and three walks. The Red Sox overtaxed bullpen, which has tossed an MLB-leading 230 2/3 frames (while authoring a 27th-ranked 5.97 ERA), is probably in for another long night.

Look for shortstop Miguel Rojas and third baseman Brian Anderson, batting .375 and .373 respectively this month, to do the most damage.

MLB pick: Marlins moneyline

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Pittsburgh Pirates (14-33) at Cincinnati Reds (24-26), 6:40 p.m. ET

Two anemic offenses will take the field at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday night as the Pirates battle the Reds, and the total is very favorable to Under bettors.

Luis Castillo (2-5, 3.44 ERA), fresh off a complete-game victory over the Cardinals on Friday in which he allowed only one run, gets the nod here. He was highly effective in his lone start against Pittsburgh this year, allowing just two runs in six innings of work on Sept. 4. Castillo is backed by a decent Reds bullpen that’s 12th in ERA (3.70) over the last seven days. It seems unlikely that the Pirates’ league-worst lineup (3.68 runs per game) will have a breakout performance here.

JT Brubaker takes the hill for the Bucs in this one. Excluding his most recent start against the potent bats of the White Sox (seven earned runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings), the Ohio native has a respectable 3.96 ERA on the season. Facing the Reds’ feeble offense (28th in runs per game at 3.98) offers hope for improvement.

MLB pick: Under