The Pirates and Tigers play in the Central Division – only in different leagues. They will get well acquainted over the next four days with each team hosting a two-game set in this inter-league matchup.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
As first impressions of a season go, the Pittsburgh Pirates would seem to have closed the narrow space between themselves and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. In fact, based on what occurred in the season-opening three-game series between the clubs, the Buccos may have taken the lead in the intense rivalry. The Pirates swept the team that has prevented them from winning the division the past three seasons. Their play during the set was never less than solid and at times superb.
The key now is for Pittsburgh to maintain that intensity level when playing teams that are not from St. Louis. The Pirates will visit Detroit for two games before the team’s turnaround and head to the Steel City for a two-game set.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Jonathan Niese took a no-decision Tuesday against the Cardinals giving up four earned on five hits and a walk over 5.0 innings. He struck out seven and was nasty at times, inducing 10 swinging strikes in his 81 pitches. But when he missed the Cards hit him hard, including a home run from Jedd Gyorko. Niese has surrendered at least 20 homers in a season three times despite never reaching the 200-inning mark.
Niese has one lifetime start against the Tigers and it wasn’t pretty. He was touched for seven hits and six earned runs in 4.2 innings on June 22, 2010 while with the Mets. Miguel Cabrera, who doubled off Niese, is the only starter from that game still with the Tigers.
Shane Greene makes his first start of the season on Monday. After opening 2015 with a 3-0 record and a 0.39 ERA, things unraveled quickly for Greene. His ERA shot up to 6.88, his WHIP was at 1.55 and he struck out only 50 batters in 83.2 innings. He was slowed by injuries throughout the year and even spent some time at Triple-A.
Greene had a strong spring, earning a starting assignment early, but there’s no guarantee he holds a spot in the rotation given his troubles last season. He came out of the pen to pitch a perfect 11th inning for his first career save in the season opener.
LIVE BETTING
On and off the field, last week was a reminder of Gregory Polanco’s enormous potential, a glimpse of all the reasons why he was such a popular preseason pick to become a breakthrough star. Before the second game of the season-opening series with St. Louis, Polanco signed a long-term contract extension, and GM Neal Huntington referred to the 24-year-old outfielder as a significant “building block” for the organization. Polanco was more promise than production over the past two years, hitting a combined .249/.316/.369. But this spring he worked to smooth out and shorten up his left-handed swing as much as his long arms will allow. Manager Clint Hurdle said the mechanical changes might not be visible to most. But if Polanco’s swing is right, the results will be noticeable.
QUICK PICK
The teams will wipe out their interleague slate of games in four days beginning with Monday’s matinee. Detroit has a powerful lineup with the addition of Justin Upton and the return to health of Cabrera. Top to bottom they can do plenty of damage and Niese is prone to getting touched up. The Pirates are solid as well and have perhaps the most talented outfield in baseball with Polanco, McCutchen and Starling Marte. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus will have a short leash on Greene given the troubles he endured last season. His start was pleasant but he really tapered off and was hit hard, giving up 103 hits in his 83.2 innings. He will have to prove that he can get hitters out and a perfect inning of relief isn’t enough yet.
MLB Odds: Pittsburgh 6, Detroit 4
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