Major League Baseball Top Exposures May 20 - Pittsburgh Pirates
Dan Shapiro here for Gambling911.com and the Pittsburgh Pirates are once again a top exposure for the books, seeing 82% of the money line action against San Diego as a -137 home favorite.
The Padres have been shocking one of the top teams in Major League Baseball, on the road no less. They have won the last two games in this current four-game series and have won six of their last ten overall following a slow start to the season.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jordan Lyles (1-1, 2.53 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (5-2, 2.72)
The 27-year-old South Carolinian, who is filling the rotation spot occupied by the injured Joey Lucchesi, permitted one earned run in five frames of a loss to St. Louis in his first turn of the season five days earlier. He has struggled against Pittsburgh over his career, going 0-5 with a 7.82 ERA in nine appearances (seven starts).
Williams produced his second scoreless start of at least six innings this season Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing six hits and striking out six while throwing 94 pitches in seven frames. He is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in four turns at home this season.
The line on this one has mostly shot up from -127 to -145 across the board.
The Pirates and Padres have both batted well against opposing right-handers (Pirates 6-1, Padres 5-1). The Padres though are 0-6 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Resident sports handicapper Tony Caliente will not have a play here.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
