Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers 6/30/23

The Milwaukee Brewers (43-38) take one of the lowest-scoring offenses in MLB on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (38-42) at PNC Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.

The Brewers are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip. They won three out of four in their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 3-2 on Thursday at Citi Field.

Victor Caratini was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. William Contreras added one run on one hit and a walk. The Pirates are in the midst of a six-game homestand.

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Padres, taking the finale 5-4 on Thursday at PNC Park. Henry Davis went 3 for 4 with one run and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Brewers have won all three games this season between the NL Central rivals, including a 5-2 victory in their most recent meeting on June 18 at American Family Field.

Trevor Megill got the win with one scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and Devin Williams picked up his 12th save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Freddy Peralta (5-7, 4.65 ERA) is slated to start for Milwaukee. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Guardians on Saturday.

He was charged with the loss, scattering four hits while striking out five and walking three. Peralta has made one previous start against the Pirates this season, a 5-2 home victory on June 18.

He surrendered two runs on two hits over six innings, striking out nine and walking three. RHP Osvaldo Bido (0-1, 3.45 ERA) gets the ball for Pittsburgh. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Brewers.

In his last start on Saturday, Bido took a no-decision on the road against the Marlins. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on nine hits, striking out five, in the 4-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Milwaukee offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, the fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .226/.305/.370. Christian Yelich leads the team in OPS at .798. The right fielder is slashing .273/.369/.429 with nine home runs, 36 RBIs, and 54 runs over 78 games.

Against righties like Bido this season, the Brew Crew have a .686 OPS, the fifth lowest in MLB. Yelich also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .870 OPS in 213 at-bats.

Pittsburgh is slashing .241/.318/.389 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Andrew McCutchen leads the team with a .830 OPS. The center fielder has nine home runs, 25 RBIs, and 36 runs scored with a slash line of .280/.395/.435.

The Bucs have a .695 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .924 OPS over 158 at-bats, Jack Suwinski has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Milwaukee is 21-20 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Pittsburgh has won three in a row in front of their home fans.

The Bucs are 21-19 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In the last 10 games at PNC Park between the teams, each club has won five, though Milwaukee has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.4-4.6.