Free MLB Picks Today: Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates 8/30/22

The Pittsburgh Pirates (48-80) are on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers (68-59) at American Family Field on Tuesday. The Brewers took Monday’s series opener 7-5, their 10th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Reliever Devin Williams threw one scoreless inning to get the win. Hunter Renfroe went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs in the win. Garrett Mitchell added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Oneil Cruz was 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs for the Pirates.

ON THE MOUND

Mitch Keller (4-10, 4.50 ERA) is set to start for Pittsburgh. The righty allowed seven runs (two earned) over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 14-2 road defeat against the Braves on Wednesday. He was charged with the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out five and walking two. Over two previous starts against the Brewers this season, Keller has allowed five earned runs over 10 innings (0-1, 4.50). He has struck out eight and walked two. Right-hander Adrian Houser (4-9, 5.15 ERA) will take the mound for Milwaukee. He has made one prior start against the Pirates this season, giving up three runs over 2.1 innings in an 8-7 road defeat on June 30. He gave up five hits and walked one in the no-decision.In his last start on Wednesday, Houser took the loss on the road against the Dodgers. He threw 2.1 innings and gave up five runs on five hits, striking out four and walking four in the 12-6 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.6. Against righties like Houser this season, the Bucs have a .647 OPS, third lowest in MLB. Ke’Bryan Hayes is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .601 OPS in 283 at-bats. Milwaukee is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with a higher slash line (.307/.383/.536). The Brew Crew have a .757 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in MLB. With a .374 OBP over 265 at-bats, Christian Yelich has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 22-44 away from PNC Park in 2022, scoring 3.3 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Milwaukee has won three in a row in front of their home fans. The Brew Crew are 34-25 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Milwaukee is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at American Family Field with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 26 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Brewers are second in the NL Central, six games behind the Cardinals.