The Pirates remain longshots to win the NL Central
BY COREY LONG | Home Field Sports Contributor
The Pittsburgh Pirates experienced somewhat of a roller coaster in its first week without shortstop Oneil Cruz, alternating wins and losses.
Cruz, who fractured his ankle last Sunday against the White Sox, is expected to miss at least four months.
The Pirates were betting underdogs in all three games at home against the Houston Astros this week, but they managed a 7-4 win on Tuesday and enjoyed a strong outing from starter Mitch Keller, who gave up two runs and struck out seven in six innings.
Pittsburgh’s win paid +150 on the moneyline at FanDuel Sportsbook and the game went over the set total of eight runs, which paid -105. The Pirates were also +150 moneyline underdogs in the rubber match of the series Wednesday, but their bats went silent against Astros starter Jose Urquidy in a 7-0 loss.
The Pirates went straight into a four-game set with the Cardinals and earned a 5-0 win Thursday behind a terrific start from veteran journeyman Vince Velasquez. Pittsburgh was a significant underdog in the game and paid +215 on the moneyline for the win.
Pittsburgh is 7-6 as moneyline underdogs this season and is 4-2 when underdogs of +125 or more on the moneyline. However, the Pirates’ 8-6 start to the season hasn’t improved much of their odds on the futures market.
They remain a longshot to win the NL Central at +3000 with FanDuel, behind the Brewers (-125), Cardinals (+135) and Cubs (+900). Pittsburgh is also a longshot just to make the playoffs at +950, while the Pirates are -1600 to miss out on the postseason.
Center fielder Bryan Reynolds is having a terrific start to the season and has been a monster at the plate. Reynolds has a slash line of .333/.345/.685 with five home runs and 14 RBIs. He was named National League Player of the Week from April 3-9.
“I think it just always comes down to one thing for me and that’s my timing,” Reynolds said during an interview with MLB Network. “If I can be on time, be early, get my foot down and all that then I’m usually in a decent spot. When I don’t have that, I’m not in a good spot.”
The numbers have gotten Reynolds on the betting board for National League MVP at +4000. Those odds have him in the top 20 among betting favorites with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. leading the way at +300.
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