Andrew McCutchen will be looking to extend his 19-game on-base streak as the Pittsburgh Pirates (39-42) host the Milwaukee Brewers (43-39) at PNC Park on Saturday.
The Pirates took Friday’s series opener 8-7, their fourth straight victory overall and first in four games against the Brewers this season. Carmen Mlodzinski threw two scoreless innings in relief to get the win.
Carlos Santana went 3 for 5 with a home run and two doubles in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. McCutchen also went 3 for 5 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had three RBIs. Owen Miller was 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and one RBI for the Brewers.
ON THE MOUND
Corbin Burnes (5-5, 4.10 ERA) is set to take the mound for Milwaukee. The righty allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Guardians on Sunday. He gave up eight hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.
Burnes is making his first appearance against the Pirates this season. Over four starts against the Pirates in 2022, Burnes was 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA over 24.1 innings. He had 26 strikeouts and 10 walks.
Righty Johan Oviedo (3-8, 4.06 ERA) gets the ball for Pittsburgh. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Brewers. Oviedo made two appearances against the Brewers in 2022, both out of the bullpen, striking out four and walking none over four innings (1-0, 0.00).
In his last start on Sunday, Oviedo took the loss on the road against the Marlins. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out six, in the 2-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Milwaukee has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against right-handed pitchers like Oviedo this season, the Brew Crew have a .686 OPS, the fifth lowest in MLB. Christian Yelich is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .872 OPS in 216 at-bats.
Pittsburgh is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.2 for the season, with a higher slash line (.300/.343/.453). The Bucs have a .699 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .416 OBP over 159 at-bats, McCutchen has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Milwaukee is 21-21 away from home in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Pittsburgh has won four in a row at PNC Park.
The Bucs are 22-19 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In the last 10 meetings at PNC Park, Pittsburgh is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Milwaukee (5.9-4.6).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Brewers are second in the NL Central, one game behind the division-leading Reds. The Pirates are third in the NL Central, four games behind the Reds.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Milwaukee Brewers (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
