Red Sox vs Pirates Prediction MLB Picks Today 4/5

© Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

MLB Game Preview: Pirates vs Red Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Boston Red Sox on April 5th, 2023 at Fenway Park at 1:35 PM EST. Both teams have a 2-2 record so far this season and are looking to advance in the National League Central and American League East standings. MLB picks experts are predicting an interesting matchup between the Pirates and the Red Sox, with some using computer MLB picks and others relying on expert predictions and MLB picks and parlays. The game is expected to be closely contested, with the Red Sox favored by -155 on the moneyline and an over/under of 9.

Both teams have strong batting offenses, as the Red Sox are ranked at #1 in runs scored and #2 in batting average, while the Pirates are ranked at #13 and #24 in those categories, respectively. On the pitching side, the Red Sox have an edge with a 7.50 ERA ranking at #28, while the Pirates have a 4.76 ERA ranking at #18. However, the Pirates have a better defense overall, ranking at #13 compared to the Red Sox at #30.

The probable pitchers for this matchup are Mitch Keller for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Corey Kluber for the Red Sox.

Pirates: Pitching Analysis

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming into the 2023 season with a lot of questions surrounding their pitching staff. They had a 4.76 ERA as a team in 2022, which was 18th in the MLB. However, they do have some promising arms that could step up and make a big impact this season. One player to watch is Mitch Keller, who will likely be the team's opening day starter. Keller had a rough 2022 campaign, with a 7.71 ERA over nine starts. However, he showed flashes of his potential in 2021, when he had a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. If he can find that form again, he could be a big asset for the Pirates. The Pirates also have some young pitchers who could make an impact this season, including Roansy Contreras and Wil Crowe. Contreras came over from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade and has shown promise in the minors. Crowe struggled in the majors last year, but has had success in the minors and could be a solid back-end rotation option. Overall, the Pirates pitching staff is a bit of a wild card. It's possible that they could exceed expectations and have a solid year, but they could also struggle and be a liability for the team. 

Pirates: Hitting Analysis

When it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates' hitting performance, the experts and computer predictions are not favorable. According to various sources, including MLB Picks Experts, MLB Picks Computer, and MLB Picks Emp Predictions, the Pirates are not expected to excel offensively in their upcoming game against the Boston Red Sox on April 5th, 2023. Despite a few standout players, such as Bryan Reynolds who leads in home runs and batting average, the Pirates' overall hitting statistics have been lackluster. They have a batting average of .212, which ranks them 24th in the league, and are averaging only 3.75 runs per game, putting them at 21st place. The Pirates also have an on-base percentage and slugging percentage of .291 and .364 respectively, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league. The betting odds and predictions also favor the Boston Red Sox in this matchup. As of April 5th, 2023, the Red Sox have a 63.9% chance of winning, according to Facebook and Twitter Pick Center. Additionally, their offense has been dominant, with a league-leading 8.25 runs per game and a slugging percentage of .554. In conclusion, based on the statistics and predictions, it's unlikely that the Pirates will come out on top in their game against the Red Sox. However, anything can happen

Red Sox: Pitching Analysis

The Boston Red Sox have a solid starting rotation led by Corey Kluber, who has been excellent in his two starts this season. Kluber has a 0-1 record but has an ERA of just 3.50 and a WHIP of 1.00. He will be looking to bounce back in his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The other starters for the Red Sox include Nick Pivetta, who has a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and a WHIP of 0.50. Eduardo Rodriguez has started slow, with a 7.20 ERA and a WHIP of 1.40 in his two starts. However, he has shown potential in the past and could turn things around quickly. In the bullpen, the Red Sox have a few solid options in Ryan Brasier, Josh Taylor, and Darwinzon Hernandez. Brasier has yet to give up a run this season, while Taylor and Hernandez have each recorded a save. The Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching staff has struggled early on this season, with a team ERA of 7.53 and a WHIP of 1.79. Mitch Keller will be taking the mound against the Red Sox, and he has a 0-0 record with a 7.71 ERA and a WHIP of 2.44. 

Red Sox: Hitting Analysis

When it comes to the Red Sox hitting, both MLB picks experts and computer predictions agree that they are a top unit in the league. With an offense value that ranks them as number one in runs per game and total bases per game, the Red Sox have the potential to score big in any game. Their standout players include Bryan Reynolds and Enrique Hernandez, who lead the team in home runs and RBIs respectively. Their batting average ranks second in the league at .311 and they have a slugging percentage of .554. On the other hand, their defense value is relatively low compared to their offense, with a ranking of 28th in earned run average and a WHIP of 1.806. Despite their defensive struggles, the Red Sox are still considered a top team by MLB experts and their consistent hitting has made them one of the best MLB picks for today and beyond. With the potential to score big and an offense that shows no signs of slowing down, the Red Sox are a team to watch out for in the upcoming season. Injury Report: Both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox have players on the injury report heading into their matchup on April 5, 2023. For the Pirates, relief pitcher Robert Stephenson is on the 15-day IL as of March 31, and starting pitcher JT Brubaker is on the 60-day IL as of April 3. The Red Sox have a longer list, with starting pitcher Brayan Bello on the 15-day IL as of April 1, relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day IL as of April 2, second baseman Trevor Story on the 60-day IL as of April 2, and starting pitcher James Paxton on the 15-day IL as of April 4. These injuries may affect the teams' strategies and lineups, and are important factors for MLB picks experts, MLB picks computer models, and MLB picks and parlays predictions to consider when making their MLB picks for today.

Prediction:

After analyzing the statistics and trends, our MLB picks experts predict the Boston Red Sox will defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in their matchup on April 5, 2023. However, for those looking for value in their MLB picks, the Pirates may be a worthwhile pick with a spread of +130 on the moneyline. It's important to note that while computer MLB picks and predictions can give insight, anything can happen in a game, so make sure to stay up to date with the latest MLB picks and odds. 

Pick: Pirates