Josh Bell Player Props: Diamondbacks vs Pirates 8/3

Josh Bell Player Props: Diamondbacks vs Pirates 8/3

Game Summary

The Arizona Diamondbacks (59-51) face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-54) on August 3, 2024, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. This matchup marks the fifth encounter between these two teams this season, with the Diamondbacks currently leading the series 3-1. Both teams are striving for playoff positioning, making this game crucial. The Pirates are looking to bounce back after a tough 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks the previous night, where Oneil Cruz had a standout performance with five hits. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks come into this game with momentum, having won eight of their last ten games, showcasing a powerful offense with a .316 batting average during this stretch.

The pitching matchup features Jordan Montgomery (ARI) with a 7-5 record and a 6.51 ERA against Mitch Keller (PIT) who boasts a 10-5 record with a 3.30 ERA. Keller has been the more reliable pitcher, striking out 114 batters in 128.1 innings, while Montgomery has struggled with a WHIP of 1.69. The Pirates have a solid home record at 26-27, and they thrive when hitting multiple home runs, going 20-8 in those games. The Diamondbacks have also been competitive on the road with a 28-26 record. This game promises to be an exciting battle between two teams with playoff aspirations.

Player Analysis

Josh Bell has been an integral part of the Pirates' offense this season. As of now, he has a batting average of .266 with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs. Bell's recent form has been impressive, especially in clutch situations. Over the last 10 games, he has been a consistent run producer, demonstrating his ability to drive in runs. With the Pirates' lineup providing him ample opportunities, Bell could capitalize on these chances against Montgomery, who has struggled to keep runs off the board.

Opposing Analysis

The Diamondbacks will be facing Mitch Keller, who has shown a tendency to give up runs, especially against left-handed hitters. The Pirates' lineup is filled with power hitters who can exploit Keller's weaknesses. The Diamondbacks have been effective against right-handed pitching, making it crucial for Keller to keep his pitches low and avoid mistakes. If Bell can get on base early, he will likely score or drive in runs given the current form of the Pirates' hitters.

Pitching Probables

Player	W-L	ERA	Strikeouts
Jordan Montgomery (ARI)	7-5	6.51	48
Mitch Keller (PIT)	10-5	3.30	114

Team Previews

The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 23rd in hits (861) and 24th in runs (459) this season, indicating some struggles offensively despite recent improvements. Their pitching, however, has been solid, with an ERA of 3.82, ranking them 9th in the league. Conversely, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been more effective at the plate, ranking 5th in hits (965) and 2nd in runs scored (567). Their pitching ranks lower, with an ERA of 4.51, which has led to some high-scoring games.

Team Injuries

Player	Position	Injury Status
Merrill Kelly	SP	Expected to be out until at least Aug 12
Christian Walker	1B	Expected to be out until at least Aug 10
Isiah Kiner-Falefa	2B	Expected to be out until at least Aug 6
Ryan Borucki	RP	Expected to be out until at least Sep 1

Recent Games

Pittsburgh Pirates

Opponent	Score	W/L
Arizona	8-9	L
Houston	6-2	W
Houston	5-4	L
Kansas City	2-1	W
St. Louis	5-0	W

Arizona Diamondbacks

Opponent	Score	W/L
Pittsburgh	9-8	W
Washington	17-0	W
Washington	9-8	W
Pittsburgh	6-5	L
Kansas City	8-6	W

Prediction

Given the current form of Josh Bell and the struggles of Jordan Montgomery, I predict that Bell will drive in at least one run in this game. The odds for Bell to record over 0.5 RBIs are set at +145, which presents good value given the matchup. The Pirates are likely to create scoring opportunities, and Bell will be a key contributor.

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