Tigers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 17, 2023

May 17, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Detroit Tigers (19-21) hope to complete a two-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates (22-20) when the teams meet at 1:10 PM ET Wednesday. The Tigers are -175 favorites to keep the Pirates out of the win column in the series.

Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Detroit while Rich Hill is Pittsburgh’s starter for the contest.

Tigers vs. Pirates Odds

Tigers odds to win: -175
Pirates odds to win: +149
Spread: Tigers -1.5
Total: 7.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 1:10 PM ET
TV: MLB Network

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Who Will Win Tigers vs. Pirates?

Tigers and Pirates Betting Trends

The Tigers have been listed as the moneyline favorite only two other times so far this season, and they won both of the games.

Detroit has not played a game this season with moneyline odds of -175 or shorter.

This season, the Pirates have been the underdog 30 times and won 13, or 43.3%, of those games.

This season, Pittsburgh has won two of its six games when it’s the underdog by at least +149 on the moneyline.

The Tigers have played in 40 games with an over/under set, and have combined with their opponents to go over the total 19 times (19-20-1).

The Pirates’ games have gone over the total in 18 of their 42 chances.

Tigers Stats & Insights

The Tigers have the No. 30 offense in MLB action scoring 3.6 runs per game (143 total runs).

Detroit is third-worst in MLB play with 31 home runs.

The Tigers’ .232 batting average ranks 24th in the majors.

Detroit strikes out 9.1 times per game, the No. 15 mark in MLB.

The Tigers pitching staff ranks 27th in the majors with a collective 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Detroit’s 4.31 team ERA ranks 16th among all MLB pitching staffs.

Pirates Stats & Insights

The Pirates have scored 176 runs (4.2 per game) this season, which ranks 24th in MLB.

Pittsburgh has hit 40 homers this season, which ranks 23rd in the majors.

The Pirates rank 21st in MLB with a .239 team batting average.

Pittsburgh ranks 13th in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 8.6 Ks per contest.

The Pirates have an 8.7 K/9 this season as a pitching staff, which ranks 13th in the majors.

Pittsburgh has the sixth-best ERA (3.78) in the majors this season.

Tigers Key Players to Watch

Rodriguez makes the start for the Tigers, his ninth of the season. He is 4-2 with a 1.57 ERA and 47 strikeouts through 51 2/3 innings pitched.

Javier Baez leads Detroit in runs batted in with 19 while batting .254.

Riley Greene’s batting average of .291 leads all Detroit hitters this season.

Spencer Torkelson has collected 35 base hits, an OBP of .290 and a slugging percentage of .367 this season.

Zach McKinstry is batting .275 with an OBP of .362 and a slugging percentage of .396 this season.

Pirates Key Players to Watch

The Pirates will send Hill (3-3) to the mound for his ninth start this season.

Bryan Reynolds paces the Pirates with 23 runs batted in while racking up a team-high batting average of .286.

Andrew McCutchen has hit seven home runs to lead his team.

Carlos Santana has 12 doubles, two home runs and 20 walks while batting .241.

Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting .235 with nine doubles, two triples, a home run and 14 walks.

Tigers and Pirates Injuries

Tigers: Kerry Carpenter: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Trey Wingenter: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Matt Manning: 60 Day IL (Foot), Austin Meadows: 60 Day IL (Anxiety), Beau Brieske: 60 Day IL (Arm), Casey Mize: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Tarik Skubal: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Freddy Pacheco: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Pirates: Vince Velásquez: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Rob Zastryzny: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Ji-Man Choi: 60 Day IL (Achilles), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Wil Crowe: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jarlin García: 60 Day IL (Arm), Max Kranick: 60 Day IL (Elbow), JT Brubaker: 60 Day IL (Elbow)