MLB Over/Under Best Bet: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, April 12

Lastly, we get a break. The humorous factor about rain-shortened video games is they might get rid of varied bets concerned within the proceedings. For an over/beneath guess, it usually should go the total 9 innings (or 8.5 if the house group wins) for the wager to have motion, even when it’s already sailed past the whole (to stop folks from blindly betting overs each time there may be assured dangerous climate that can doubtless finish the sport prematurely).

So, regardless of last night’s bet being at 10 runs, the sport being known as within the sixth voided it for all (and, to the chagrin of Giants bettors, runline wagers have been worn out, too). We’ll take it. 

Saturday’s whole takes us to a different Cincinnati Reds sport, persevering with their three-game set with the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds bought the house ‘W’ in final evening’s collection opener. 

There shall be a extra fascinating pitching matchup readily available for the second assembly, seeing new Bucs pitcher Andrew Heaney taking over the season-debuting Andrew Abbott. 

The very first thing that ought to stick out immediately is the truth that each starters are left-handed. Why is that this a vital element, you ask? 

Properly each groups stink in opposition to southpaws – not less than within the early going. 

The Reds have been completely dreadful with a lefty on the mound. They’ve managed a pathetic .142/.240/.248 slash line, rating them second from the underside in baseball in all three classes of group batting common, on-base share and slugging share. 

Not solely that, the Redlegs are putting out a excessive clip additionally, taking place by way of the Ok 33 occasions in 113 at-bats. That’s as soon as nearly each three ABs when dealing with a left-hander.

In the meantime, Pittsburgh hasn’t fared significantly better on this division. Their .196 batting common in opposition to lefties ranks them twenty fourth within the majors, whereas the membership’s .536 OPS ranks them twenty seventh. Within the course of, the Pirates have manufactured solely 4 extra-base hits, which ties them for the fewest in MLB with the Baltimore Orioles.

Moreover, Oneil Cruz – in all probability essentially the most explosive hitter within the lineup – is 0-for-11 when dealing with a southpaw. He’s sometimes struggled in opposition to such pitchers in his younger profession.

Now to simply harness two trusty left-handers for such a bout and that seems to be the case with this specific billing.

Earlier than entering into analyzing Heaney, I have to confess that there’s positively not less than a bit bias concerned. He’s been one among my favourite pitchers since he debuted in 2014 (a 1-0 duel against Zack Wheeler in Miami, by the way in which!).

Nonetheless, there could also be legit proof to consider that Heaney is on the verge of renaissance late in his profession. And it’s not like he was struggling throughout his most up-to-date tenure with the Texas Rangers. He was an enormous a part of their championship conquest two years in the past, not solely by pitching them into the playoffs on the second-to-last day of the marketing campaign but in addition coming via within the postseason – folks overlook he began and gained a World Sequence sport! 

The veteran often known as Heandog is out to a fantastic starting in his new digs. Sure, it’s solely been two begins, however they’ve each been very encouraging, particularly final day trip when he held the mighty Yankees to a mere one run throughout seven sharp innings and putting out 10!

Heaney succeeding proper now might be the result of some new things he’s doing. As an illustration, in that aforementioned starter reverse the Bronx Bombers, the 33-year-old was deploying his curveball extra, even notching 5 Ks with that one pitch for the primary time in 5 seasons.

There was additionally considerably heavier utilization of his sinker. After throwing solely 10 of them mixed from 2020-24, he fired seven of that pitch alone in his final outing.

Add in his reliance on an occasional sidearm supply and it’s evident that Heaney has made some notable changes that may proceed his present run of success. I’ve personally seen him for a very long time as among the finest energetic gamers within the sport to have by no means been named an All-Star (accidents positively had an influence in that as nicely). Foreshadowing, possibly?

The counterpart, Andrew Abbott, is making his first begin of the yr after getting a little bit of a late begin to the spring. That bumped him to Triple-A for a bit earlier than returning to The Present.

Abbott’s numbers in these two minor league begins have been nothing particular however he’s simply a type of guys that advantages from being on the highest stage and desires that additional depth he will get with a purpose to succeed. Minor league video games don’t convey that out of somebody like Abbott, who has already had success with the big-league membership.

Keep in mind, the third-year starter was wonderful as quickly as he arrived, posting a sub-3.00 ERA in his first 14 profession begins. A yr in the past additionally introduced out extra high quality work from Abbott earlier than succumbing to a shoulder damage.

Each guys could be on their sport tonight with weak offenses reverse left-handed pitching on their plate. 

Decide: UNDER 8.5 (-118, DraftKings) 

2025 MLB Betting Report: 9-6-2, +2.23 items 

Over/Unders: 8-4-1 

Props: 1-1 

MLs: 0-1 

Yesterday’s Consequence: Giants-Yankees Underneath 8 (No Motion) 

Every guess graded as if it have been to win one unit until in any other case indicated. 

Observe me on X (previously Twitter) @MattZylbert for potential further picks.