Baseball | Thursday, June 22, 2023 9:37 AM

Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates Best Bet: Buccs in Miami for 4

IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

US Sports Expert

Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates Best Bet: Thursday, June 22nd

The Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates will compete at LoanDepot Park for the next four days, and the struggling Buccs need a win. The losing streak has extended to nine games, and the Marlins are barely favoured to take the first game of the series on Thursday night. With a line movement and odds full of value, Ej has eyes on the handicap for this affair so let’s see what he’s got for his best bet of the day!

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Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

June 22, 23:40 (UK time)

The Pittsburgh Pirates have now lost their last nine games and their offense has been downright offensive of late if you get my drift. The Buccs have scored five runs over their previous five games, and the defeats are starting to add up.

After getting off to a hot 20 – 8 start to the 2023 campaign, the Pirates are now five games under .500 carrying a 34 – 39 record into this weekend’s 4-game set against the Fish.

When I first saw the lines for this game come out, the Marlins were listed as 1.83 favourites, although since then the line setters have increased their take. The Marlins Moneyline has resin to 1.75 now, but that will not likely take anyone off of the Marlins in this spot.

The starting pitching matchup is a wash to me because Mitch Keller and Braxton Garrett will likely pitch well again. Despite giving up at least one home run in five of his last six starts, Keller has been eating up innings this season for the Buccs. Through 15 starts, Keller has pitched at least 6 innings on 11 of those occasions, and he has a complete game under his belt which came against the Rockies back on May 8. The Pirates’ offense has only supported Keller with 4 runs over his last three starts, and I already mentioned that the Buccs’ offense has been lethargic at best over the previous 9 games.

Braxton Garrett has also put up some decent numbers this campaign, and all he needs is one more win to hit victory number 4! Garrett made 17 starts last year and his record only amounted to 3 – 7, so his next win will mark his career-high in his fourth year with the Marlins. The Marlins have won his last four starts, although he has been a victim of no decisions too often of late. Over his last 7 starts, Garrett has a pair of wins and five no-decisions to his credit because the bullpen was unable to finish his quality starts.

I see this game being a tight, low-scoring affair early, and until I see the Pirates show any signs of life at the plate, we have to make our money. I am not coming close to that Moneyline offer but the handicap odds sure have my attention.