Miami Marlins (43-48) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-54)
July 22, 2022 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates +116 / Miami Marlins -126 ; Over/Under: 8.5
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The Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action from PNC Park. Miami just played a one-off game versus the Rangers on Thursday. In that one the Marlins suffered a blowout loss. As for the Pirates, they lost two of three to the Rockies last weekend. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Miami didn’t have any luck versus the Phillies last weekend, losing 2-1, 10-0 and 4-0 in a three-game set. On Thursday versus the Rangers, the Marlins couldn’t find any life on seven hits in an 8-0 loss. Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez gave up five earned in 5.0 innings on five hits and three walks.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Marlins will go with Braxton Garrett. In eight starts this year Garrett is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA. In 41.1 innings total he has 17 earned on 41 hits and 10 walks with 40 strikeouts total.
Over on the Pirates’ side, they took a tough 13-2 loss to the Rockies last Friday, then fell again 2-0 in the Saturday game. Pittsburgh posted a win Sunday 8-3 to prevent the sweep, however. Starter Bryse Wilson managed 3.1 innings with two earned on four hits and three Ks in that one.
As the starting pitcher for the Friday matchup, the Pirates are sending out Zach Thompson. This year Thompson is 3-6 with a 4.09 ERA.
PICK: I’m probably going to try the Marlins in this one. Garrett has been pretty solid lately, and he should match up well here also. Over his last three starts he’s got just four earned in 19.0 innings of work on nine hits and four walks. Garrett did have his ups and downs versus the Mets (three earned) but he bounced back nicely against the Pirates in his last outing (6.0 innings; zero earned last Thursday).