The Pittsburgh Pirates (35-42), one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the National League, are set to host the San Diego Padres (37-41) at PNC Park on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series.
The Padres are embarking on a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Nationals, dropping the finale 8-3 on Sunday at Petco Park. Ha-Seong Kim was 1 for 3 with a solo home run. Brandon Dixon added a double and one run.
The Pirates are returning home for a six-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Marlins in their last series, dropping the finale 2-0 on Sunday at loanDepot Park.
Tucupita Marcano went 1 for 1 with a walk. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Padres won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Petco Park in May.
ON THE MOUND
Yu Darvish (5-6, 4.84 ERA) is set to take the mound for San Diego. The RHP allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Giants on Wednesday. He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out six and walking two.
Darvish made one start against the Pirates in 2022, a 7-3 road victory on April 29. He surrendered three runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one.
Southpaw Rich Hill (6-7, 4.34 ERA) gets the start for Pittsburgh. In his last start on Wednesday, Hill took the loss at home against the Cubs. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up five runs (3 ER) on four hits, striking out four and walking two in the 8-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The San Diego offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .232/.322/.398. Juan Soto leads the team in OPS at .927. The left fielder is slashing .273/.425/.502 with 14 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 45 runs over 78 games.
Over the last five games, though, San Diego has averaged 5.6 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.275/.376/.443). Against lefties like Hill this season, the Padres have a .778 OPS, fifth highest in MLB.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.111 OPS in 57 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .237/.315/.385 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game, the third lowest in the National League.
Andrew McCutchen leads the team with a .825 OPS. The center fielder has nine home runs, 24 RBIs, and 34 runs scored with a slash line of .271/.394/.431.
Pittsburgh is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.152/.218/.230). The Bucs have a .686 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .916 OPS over 152 at-bats, Jack Suwinski has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 17-19 away from Petco Park in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Pittsburgh has lost three in a row in front of their home fans.
The Bucs are 18-19 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. Pittsburgh is 6-4 in the last 10 games at PNC Park between the teams despite an average scoreline favoring San Diego (5.1-4.9).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are fourth in the NL West, nine games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Pirates are fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the Reds.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
