Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Oakland Athletics 6/7/23

Hogan Harris is making his first start of the season as the Oakland Athletics (13-50) face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-28) at PNC Park on Wednesday with the three-game Interleague series in the balance.

The Athletics evened up the series 1-1 after winning 11-2 on Tuesday. James Kaprielian went six innings, giving up two runs (1 ER) on four hits, to get the win. Jac e Peterson was 5 for 5 with two home runs, three runs, and five RBIs in the win. Bryan Reynolds went 1 for 2 with two walks and one run for the Pirates.

ON THE MOUND

Harris (0-0, 6.97 ERA) is in line for his first start of the season for Oakland. The LHP allowed two runs in five innings of relief in his last appearance, a 4-0 home defeat against the Marlins on Friday. He yielded five hits while striking out five.

For Pittsburgh, RHP Roansy Contreras (3-4, 4.82 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. In his last start on Friday, Contreras took a no-decision at home against the Cardinals. He threw four innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out six, in the 7-5 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Contreras this season, the A’s have a .636 OPS, the second lowest in the league.

Ryan Noda is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .877 OPS in 143 at-bats. Pittsburgh is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Bucs have a .743 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.091 OPS over 63 at-bats, Rodolfo Castro has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 6-26 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 7.2 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 16-14 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. Oakland is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 28 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Pirates are second in the NL Central, zero games behind the Brewers.