Reds vs. Pirates Game 2 prediction and odds for Sunday, August 13 (Back Cincy's Bats)

Yesterday, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates were scheduled to play Game 2 of their three-game series at PNC Park, but the weather in Pittsburgh did not cooperate. So, we have a split double-header on Sunday with Game 2 taking place at night.

For Game 2 the Reds will throw Luke Weaver and the Pirates will counter with newly acquired Andre Jackson. Weaver is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA and Jackson has a 5.16 ERA in nine games, but has been great since the Pirates claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers. 

The Red came into this series struggling but took the first game on Friday. The Pirates are slightly favored in the final game, so let’s get into the odds. 

Reds vs. Pirates Game 2 odds, run line and total

Reds vs. Pirates prediction and pick

The Reds were reeling quite a bit heading into this series and they could still leave it in a worse spot, but the 9-2 win on Friday was encouraging. Their offense jumped all over Johan Oviedo and then added against the bullpen. They’ll be able to get to the bullpen again today because Mitch Keller is going in Game 1 and has been pitching very poorly since his appearance in the All-Star Game and Andre Jackson isn’t a starter, so he likely won’t be going deep into this one.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen is 20th in the MLB with a 4.20 ERA, but they’ve been a bit better since the start of July with a 3.87 ERA over a 142.0 inning sample size. I still don’t trust their group of relievers to potentially cover nine innings or so over two games on the same day.

The Reds will need to give Luke Weaver some run support because he’s been one of the worst pitchers in baseball. Weaver was decent last time out against a struggling Miami team, but the Pirates have been a better offense since calling up a bunch of players from Triple-A. Weaver has a 5.81 FIP which make sense that he's had a few better starts lately, because ERA typically always heads towards FIP.

Matt McLain broke out of his slump in the first inning on Friday and TJ Friedl stayed hot. The Reds offense isn’t what it was when they were the hottest team in baseball and charged to the top of the division, but it is good enough to beat the Pirates in a bullpen game for the second game of a double-header. The Reds are clearly the better team and getting them as an underdog feels like enough value for me to grab.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change