MLB Wednesday Preview: Pirates at Tigers, Astros at A's
April 17th, 2019
Pittsburgh Pirates (9-6) at Detroit Tigers (8-8), 6:40 p.m. ET
Trevor Williams (1-0, 2.45 ERA) (PIT) -110 / -1.5 runs (+140) / Over 8.5 runs (-105) Spencer Turnbull (0-2, 4.80 ERA) (DET) EVEN / +1.5 runs (-170) / Under 8.5 runs (-115)The Pirates will attempt to sweep their abbreviated two-game series with the Tigers on Wednesday night. The starting pitching matchup puts them in a good position to do so.
Trevor Williams' control issues came to light again in a three-walk game against the Nationals last time out, but he let just two runs come across over 6 1/3 innings. His all-time stats against Detroit are impressive. In two starts (13 innings) Williams has allowed just one hit and no earned runs. Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos are a combined 0-for-8 against him.
Spencer Turnbull has not been all that impressive in his first three starts of 2019, pitching to a 1.533 WHIP. His team has lost five of its last six games, scoring just 2.17 runs per contest, so Turnbull doesn't have much room for error. He must beware of the switch-hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera (currently batting .378), as well as first baseman Josh Bell, who's been a one-man wrecking crew with his 1.145 OPS.
MLB Free Play: Pirates moneyline
Houston Astros (12-5) at Oakland Athletics (10-10), 10:07 p.m. ET
Wade Miley (1-1, 3.45 ERA) (HOU) EVEN / +1.5 runs (-150) / Over nine runs (-105) Frankie Montas (2-1, 3.18 ERA) (OAK) -110 / -1.5 runs (+180) / Under nine runs (-115)The Astros have won 10 straight, including a 9-1 decision over the A’s on Tuesday night. They should run their streak to 11 against Frankie Montas, who they've had great success against in the past.
Montas took the loss against Houston on April 5 after he allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks. Second baseman Jose Altuve is 5-for-10 all-time against Montas, while shortstop Carlos Correa is 4-for-6. Correa hit the go-ahead solo shot off Montas in that April 5 contest. Montas' splits against the Astros are not encouraging. In 13 1/3 innings since 2016, the opposition is batting .345 against him.
Wade Miley starts for Houston, and in his previous three outings against the A's (19 innings), he's 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA. He should be able to hold down the fort until the Astros' third-rated bullpen by ERA is called into action.
MLB Free Play: Astros moneyline
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