Pirates vs Phillies Baseball Betting Odds

After getting crushed in Monday night’s baseball betting odds, the Pittsburgh Pirates will most certainly be looking to recover when they take on the Phillies again Tuesday. However, things won’t be easy, as they’ll have to face arguably the best pitcher in baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates (16-22 SU, 20-18 R/L, 19-17-2 O/U) at Philadelphia Phillies (24-13 SU, 24-13 R/L, 19-18 O/U)

Tuesday, May 18: 7:05 p.m.

MLB Betting Odds:

Pittsburgh: +1 ½, +135, +290
(Zach Duke-L)

Philadelphia Phillies: -1 ½, -155, -350
(Roy Halladay-R)

Total Runs:

Over 8 ½: Even

Under 8 ½: -120

That man is Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay. Since being traded to the Phillies in the offseason, Halladay has been as good as advertised, and is off to an incredible start. So far, the righthander is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA, as he heads into his ninth start of 2010. Maybe even more impressive is what he’s done at home, as he carries a 4-0 record at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia’s offense also received a boost on Monday, when they welcomed back former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins. Rollins had basically been a non-factor all year, as he played just seven games on the season, before heading to the disabled list in early April. His return was a big one however, as he had two hits and two runs scored in the Phillies 12-2 victory over Pittsburgh in the first game of this set. Slugging first baseman Ryan Howard added a grand slam and six RBI Monday as well.

As for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they come into this game struggling as they’ve lost seven of their last 10 games. Offensively, things haven’t come easy for this team, as currently, they rank 27th in all of baseball in both runs scored per game (3.50) and team batting average (.233). Of everyone in this lineup, one of the few bright spots has been Andrew McCutcheon, a second year player who is lighting the Steel City on fire. Currently, he leads the Pirates with a .331 batting average and is second in the National League with 12 stolen bases.

On the mound for Pittsburgh Tuesday will be Zach Duke. Duke is still young at the age of 27, but now five years into his career, just can’t seem to find his groove. He enters this game with a 2-4 record and 5.56 ERA.

So with the Pirates struggling, and Halladay and the Phillies bats starting to heat up, is there any reason not to pick Philadelphia in the betting odds?

The truth is that although baseball is a game where any team can beat anyone else on any given night, everything just seems to be stacked against Pittsburgh in this one.

Look for their offense to be overpowered by the masterful Halladay, and for Duke to do little to stop the bleeding.

Make the Phillies run line your pick in Tuesday night’s betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Philadelphia -1 ½, -155 (R/L)