Pirates vs. Padres Prediction, Odds and Props for Aug. 24: San Diego Stays Hot

On the left coast on Monday night in a National League series opener, the San Diego Padres host the Pittsburgh Pirates. We have you covered in this Pirates vs. Padres prediction, which has the pitching matchup, the latest odds, and player props.

The Pirates (63-69) did not get off to a good start to their West Coast road trip, being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in their last series. They are in fourth place in the NL Central, 18.5 games out of first place and 8.5 games out of the last NL Wild Card.

The Padres (71-60) are coming off a series sweep at home, and they have won 11 of their last 14 games. They are in second place in the NL West, and while nine games out of the top spot, they are two games clear of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third Wild Card spot.

The most popular US sportsbooks have the Pirates as the slight favorites at -111, the Padres at -108, and the total set at 7.5 runs.

Nada at the Dish in Finale for Bucs 

The Pirates were blanked in the series finale of their last series against the Dodgers, losing 4-0 after only totaling seven runs in the first two games. While they rank third in the Majors in runs scored, they have not scored more than four runs in any of their last five games.

Pitching has been the issue in Pittsburgh this season, ranking 22nd in team ERA.

Brandon Lowe (.255, 27 home runs, 80 RBIs) leads the club in home runs and RBIs and is hitting .240 this month with two home runs and six RBIs over the last eight games. Ryan O'Hearn (.270, 17 home runs, 69 RBIs) ranks second on the team in home runs and RBIs and is out for this game on the 10-day IL.

In the other series between these two teams early this season in Pittsburgh, the Padres took two of three games from the Pirates.

While the Bucs are two games over .500 at home, they are eight games under .500 on the road and have lost eight of their last nine road games.

Pittsburgh Starter for Series Opener 

Braxton Ashcraft (13-5, 3.68 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) goes for the Pirates, and they have won four of his last five starts, including his last two. In three of his last four starts, he only gave up one run, and one of them was a complete game. This is his first start of the season facing the Padres, and as a rookie last season, he had one scoreless inning of relief against them. On the season, Braxton has struck out 159 batters while walking 33 in 149 1/3 innings.

The Padres get out the Broom

In their last series, the Padres swept the Minnesota Twins, outscoring them 21-8 in the three games. They blew them out 8-1 in the series finale, where Fernando Tatis Jr. had two home runs and four RBIs, and Jackson Merrill also went deep.

This season, San Diego ranks 11th in the Majors in team ERA and 21st in runs scored.

Tatis Jr (.290, 17 home runs, 67 RBIs) leads the team in at-bats and ranks second in RBIs, and in the last five games has two multi-homer games and 10 RBIs. Manny Machado (.216, 24 home runs, 72 RBI) leads the clubhouse in home runs and RBIs but has only gone yard once this month with seven RBI in 20 games.

The Padres are 40-26 at home, and they have won their last seven home games.

San Diego starter for Series Opener 

Robbie Ray (11-7, 3.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) gets the nod for the Padres and will be making his third start for them after coming in a trade with the San Francisco Giants. After they lost his first start, where he gave up four runs, they have won his last two outings, where he only gave up a total of three runs in 10 innings. While with the Giants, he had one start against Pittsburgh earlier in the season, going six innings and giving up one run. This season, Ray has logged 137 2/3 innings, striking out 117 and walking 68.

Pirates vs. Padres Prediction

Padres Moneyline DraftKings, -108

Good pitching matchup in this series opener, and each starter gave up only one run in their last start. I think the Padres have great value at home, where they have won seven in a row. Their lineup has been solid lately, while the Bucs have scored no more than 4 runs in their last 5 games and were shut out in their last game.

Go with the hotter team here, as San Diego will take the series opener for their fourth win in a row, sending the Pirates to their fourth loss in a row.

Pirates vs. Padres Player Props 

Here are some good value player props at DraftKings Sportsbook.

• Robbie Ray Under 5.5 strikeouts (-105) – Ray is not known as a strikeout pitcher, and in his three starts for the Padres after a trade, he has only totaled 10 strikeouts.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. to hit a home run (+510) – Good value here for Tatis Jr, who has two multi-homer games in his last five games, and Ashcroft has given up five home runs over his last four starts.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. 1+ RBI (+222) – Tatis Jr. has 10 RBIs over the last five games.