pirates vs diamonbacks

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Pittsburgh Pirates VS Arizona Diamondbacks betting Predictions

Two teams competing for an NL wild-card spot will meet at PNC Park on Saturday night for Pirates VS Diamondbacks. MatchPlug has shared MLB best bets today, picks, odds, and predictions for Pirates VS Diamondbacks. We are the best place to get updates, news, and analysis for Major League Baseball. Predictions And Betting Preview For Pittsburgh Pirates VS Arizona Diamondbacks  Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When: Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. Time: 23:40. Teams to play: Pirates and Diamondbacks. MLB Expert Picks: Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Pittsburgh Pirates 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.848 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5 The Pittsburgh Pirates have a top-of-the-rotation that can defeat any opponent at full-health. One part of that rotation is Mitch Keller, who will pitch for the Pirates on Saturday. Keller faced the Diamondbacks last Sunday, holding them to two runs across 7.0 innings. Pittsburgh has won the last four starts Keller headed and he held all those opponents under three runs.  Pittsburgh has struggled with scoring this season. Trades for Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Byran De La Cruz should help with that down the stretch. The Pirates began the series averaging 4.18 runs per contest, 22nd in the MLB. Their lineup is 25th in batting average, 27th in OBP, and 28th in slugging percentage.  Betting On The Arizona Diamondbacks 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.02 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5 The Arizona Diamondbacks entered this match in the middle of a 7-1 stretch.Their offense, which added Josh Bell at the trade deadline, scored 63 runs in that span. Arizona is second in runs per game (5.12), even with Christian Walker sideline. They are dangerous in almost every way imaginable. The Diamondbacks will start the weekend fourth in batting average, fourth in OBP, and sixth in slugging percentage. Arizona is in trouble on the mound. Relievers A.J. Puk and Dylan Floro were brought in to help. They’ll boost a bullpen that is 21st in ERA, 25th in FIP, and 26th in WAR. Regardless of the relievers, the Diamondbacks expect more from a rotation that has never been healthy.  MatchPlug Prediction For Pittsburgh Pirates VS Arizona Diamondbacks Fans can expect the Pirates to secure an early lead tonight over the Diamondbacks. In a battle of bullpens, Pittsburgh has the more reliable one. The match will be tight, but a strong pitching staff will allow the hosts to win over Arizona.  Final Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline. 

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red sox vs rangers

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Boston Red Sox VS Texas Rangers betting Predictions

The Boston Red Sox will play against the Texas Rangers tonight at Globe Life Field. Don’t miss the Red Sox VS Rangers.  MatchPlug has the MLB best bets today which you can rely on for Red Sox VS Rangers. We are one of the Best sports betting sites to get previews for MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For Boston Red Sox VS Texas Rangers  Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas.  When: Sunday, August 3rd, 2024. Time: 00:05. Teams to play: Red Sox and Rangers. MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.848. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Boston Red Sox 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.848 1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5 The Boston Red Sox won two of three against the Seattle Mariners in their last series. The Red Sox are seven matches over the .500 mark and still in the mix for an A.L. Wild Card Spot, but they have plenty of competition. They are led by LF Jarren Duran (56.0 WAR), 3B Rafael Devers (4.0 WAR) and LF Tyler O’ Neill (2.1 WAR). Houck will pitch for the guests tomorrow. In his last start, he conceded four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks in a six-inning loss to the New York Yankees. Houck is 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in nine road starts. He hasn’t faced the Rangers this season. He has a 3.86 ERA in two career appearances (7.0 IP) against Texas. Betting On The Texas Rangers 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.02 1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5 The Texas Rangers have lost consecutive series to the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals since sweeping the Chicago White Sox. The defending champions are five matches under .500 and 4.5 matches out of the division lead in the A.L. West. Texas is paced by 2B Marcus Semien (3.4 WAR) and 1B Nathaniel Lowe (2.2 WAR). The Rangers will either make a call-up or opt for a bullpen game tomorrow. Their pen has underperformed in 2024, ranking 27th in ERA (4.46) and 24th in WHIP (1.34) with 49 homers permitted. They are top-ten in strikeouts (401) but have handed out the third-most walks (182). MatchPlug Prediction For Boston Red Sox VS Texas Rangers  The Red Sox hit .283/.343/.496/.839 in July and averaged 5.5 runs per match since the end of May. They have won seven of their last ten matches against the Rangers and enter this series with some momentum after winning a series against N.L. West leader Seattle. With its ace pitching for them, experts are confident Boston will score enough to cover tonight. Final Prediction: Boston Red Sox Moneyline.

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giants vs reds

MLB EXPERT PICKS: San Francisco Giants VS Cincinnati Reds betting Predictions

Two classic NL teams San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds will clash at the Great American Ball Park tonight. Watch Giants VS Reds for a thrilling action. Find the MLB best bets today, predictions, picks, and odds for Giants VS Reds on MatchPlug. We are a Sure Prediction Site to get accurate previews on MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For San Francisco Giants VS Cincinnati Reds  Venue: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio. When: Sunday, August 4th, 2024. Time: 00:15. Teams to play: Giants and Reds. MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.729. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The San Francisco Giants 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.729. 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5 The San Francisco Giants had a quiet deadline, as trading Jorge Soler was their greatest Trade Deadline move. It seems as if the Giants want to maintain a shot at a playoff spot in October. Winning five of their last six matches have helped this cause. Lefty Blake Snell will get tonight’s start in a bit to keep San Francisco’s momentum alive. Offensively, the Giants have been a worse team on the road all season long, as their OPS drops to .695. This is bad news for a league-average lineup scoring 4.36 runs per game (15th). A lineup that is 24th in home runs sold one of its greatest power threats. Betting On The Cincinnati Reds 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.184 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5 The Cincinnati Reds had a weird MLB Trade Deadline too, sending pitchers Frankie Montas and Lucas Sims to other clubs. It was not a trade, but they also signed former Seattle Mariner Ty France. The Reds want to balance the present with the future. The starting pitcher for today, should be a significant piece for both timelines. At the plate, Cincinnati is 14th in scoring, averaging 4.43 runs per contest. They’re most remarkable leading the MLB in stolen bases with 156, led by ELly De La Cruz. The Reds are 17th in slugging percentage thanks to 119 homers (16th) and 22 triples (6th). Still, this lineup is 23rd in OBP, 26th in strikeout percentage, 28th in batting average.  MatchPlug Prediction For San Francisco Giants VS Cincinnati Reds  Offensively, the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds are the same, although the home/road splits favor the Reds. Hunter Greene has been just as strong as Blake Snell lately. The difference, which will determine the game, is that the Reds can trust their relievers. The Giants on the other hand will likely blow the match. Take Cincinnati to win at home.  Prediction: Cincinnati Reds Moneyline.

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mike trout done for the season with another tear in knee

Mike Trout done for the season with another tear in knee

Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian said on Thursday that Mike Trout got an MRI on Wednesday that showed a tear in his left meniscus that was surgically repaired early in the year.  “He’s devastated. I was too,” Minasian said. “I’m not the emotional type but being in the room and hearing the news with him was tough.” Trout’s first tear was on April 29 against the Boston Red Sox and spent months rehabilitating after May 3 surgery. He started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on July 24, when he left after two innings due to knee discomfort.  Trout got a clean MRI last week Thursday and should have started running shortly after. He felt pain in his knee again on Monday, which required the follow-up MRI that now revealed a new tear. It is unclear how he suffered the second tear. “Since my initial surgery on May 3rd to repair my meniscus, my rehabilitation proved longer and more difficult than anticipated,” Trout said in a social media post. “After months of hard work, I was devastated yesterday when an MRI showed a tear in my meniscus that will require surgery again — ending my hopes of returning this season.” It would be an understatement to say that Trout has suffered injuries over the last half-decade. Last campaign, he missed 80 matches due to a fractured left hamate. In 2021, he only appeared in 36 matches due to a right calf strain. And because of the knee injuries this year, Trout will again finish with fewer than 50 games played (29). “Nobody wants to play more. Nobody cares about this building, this fan base, this team more than he does,” Minasian said. “He’s going to come back, have a normal offseason and come back next season and hit 70 home runs and win MVP. Book it.” It is, honestly, a remarkable and unfortunate turn of events for Trout in the last half of what might be a Hall of Fame career. From 2012-19, he was undoubtedly the top player in the sport. In that span, Trout won three AL MVP awards (2014, ‘16 and ‘19), AL Rookie of the Year award (2012), and seven Silver Slugger awards. He was also an All-Star every year. 

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usa women top belgium in quarterfinals

USA women top Belgium, secure spot in quarterfinals

The 2024 Olympic Games have officially begun in Paris, France. Two groups for women’s 5×5 basketball played on Thursday: Group C (Japan, Germany, France, Belgium, USA) and Group B (Australia, Canada, France, Nigeria). Meanwhile, both the USA women and men’s 3×3 teams played a pair of matches.  Below are the updates for the USA women action in the Paris Olympics. USA 87, Belgium 74 – Group C (Women’s 5×5). USA 60, Belgium 53 – Start of 4th quarter USA 46, Belgium 38 – Start of 3rd quarter

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hayward retires after 14 nba seasons

Gordon Hayward hangs boot after 14 NBA seasons with Jazz, Celtics, Hornets and Thunder

Gordon Hayward has retired from the NBA after 14 seasons, on Thursday. His most memorable moment was almost giving Butler a national title over Duke. It was a half-court shot that just missed on the final play of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball championship game.  Hayward played for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder. He was an All-Star in 2017. Gordon averaged 15.2 points in 835 career regular-season matches. And he said he was looking forward to spending quality time with his family.  “Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote on social media. “It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.” Hayward expressed gratitude to his parents and family and his agent Mark Bartelstein. Additionally, he thanked his coaches, teammates, trainers, doctors and friends for supporting him. His letter read, “through countless years and cities, helping me exceed my own expectations.” “To all my fans: thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs,” Hayward wrote. “I’ll always cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we’ve shared around the world. You inspired me to always dream big and improve everyday — and for the young players up next, I challenge you to do the same.”

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herbert suffers plantar fascia injury to right foot

Chargers QB Justin Herbert suffers plantar fascia injury to right foot

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot after Wednesday’s practice and is expected to be absent for at least two weeks. Herbert will wear a walking boot during this time. The Chargers announced that they expected him to be ready to play at the start of the regular season. They open at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.  However, this is still a devastating setback for the Chargers as they fight to put last season’s 5-12 mark behind them with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, adopting a new offensive system with lots of new faces on the roster.  Herbert had started for 62 straight games and had not missed a game due to injury in the NFL before suffering a season-ending finger injury in December. He was absent for the Chargers’ final four games in 2023; all losses.  In four NFL seasons, he completed 66.6% of his passes and threw for 17,223 yards, 114 touchdowns and only 42 interceptions, also rushing for 911 yards and 11 more scores.  Los Angeles presently has three other quarterbacks on their 90-man roster: Easton Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman. Stick witnessed his only extended NFL action last campaign and Herbert’s stand in. He started the final four games and threw for 1,129 yards, three TDs and one pick. He also fumbled the ball five times, losing four of them. 

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deandre hopkins expected to miss four weeks

Injured Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins expected to miss four weeks

DeAndre Hopkins will be absent for the foreseeable future due to a knee injury.  The veteran receiver suffered an injury during practice and is expected to miss four weeks.  In his first season with the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins broke 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2020. He finished with 1,057 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while running routes for both Ryan Tannehill and rookie Will Levis. As a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Hopkins is the top receiver on Tennessee’s depth chart. The chart got two key additions in Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in 2024.  At 32 years old, being cautious about Hopkins is the best approach for the team, which intends to bounce back after a 6-11 record put them in last place in the AFC South and caused them to fire coach Mike Vrabel. With Brain Callahan who is offensive-minded running the ship, he will need all hands on deck to maximize Tennessee’s potential. Luckily, the regular season will not begin for another two weeks and hopefully, Hopkins will be back by then.

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braves bats stay hot in win over miami marlins

Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves’ bats stay hot in win over Miami Marlins

The Atlanta Braves are suddenly red hot.  After dropping six of seven matches out of the All-Star break, the Braves turned things around with a 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night. This marked their fifth win in six matches.  The Braves got to Marlins starter Max Meyer early with three runs in the first and one in the third. Third baseman Austin Riley started things off with a solo home run in the bottom of the first.  First baseman Matt Olson contributed to the first-inning lead with a two-run shot following a single by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Olson has been trending for the right seasons, securing five homer runs and six RBIs in that aforementioned six-game stretch.  Shortstop Orlando Arcia extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a solo homer off Meyer in the bottom of the third. That was adequate support for Braves starter Charlie Morton, who allowed one unearned run on five hits over six innings while striking out six and walking two.  Over the past six matches, the Braves have outscored their opponents 31-14 while hitting 15 homers.

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celebrini is excited for first nhl training camp with sharks

Celebrini ‘couldn’t be more excited’ for first NHL training camp with San Jose Sharks

Mack Celebrini is finding it hard to wait for his first NHL training camp with the San Jose Sharks next month. “I couldn’t be more excited,” the 18-year-old center and No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft said at the Hobey Baker Memorial Tournament at Royal Golf Club on Thursday. “I was actually thinking about their prospect pool and how they made those additions, and how great of players those guys are. And the people they have in the front office, I couldn’t be more excited.” Celebrini, who won the Baker Memorial Award for top player in NCAA men’s hockey, signed his entry-level contract with the Sharks on July 6, forgoing his sophomore season at Boston University. Since development camp in San Jose from July 2-4, he has been training at home in North Vancouver, British Columbia. “I feel like they’re really going in the right direction and I’m just excited for what the future holds,” he said of his new team. The Sharks want to flip the script after finishing last in the NHL (19-54-9) in 2023-24 and failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth straight season. Besides Celebrini, they also added forwards Tyler Toffoli (four-year contract) and Alex Wennberg (two years) on July 1 and claimed two-time Stanley Cup winning forward Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers on June 24. San Jose also signed Will Smith, chosen with the No.4 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Smith led the NCAA with 71 points (25 goals, 46 assists) in 41 matches last season. As a freshman at Boston College he set a program record for a first-year player and helped the Eagles win the national title game.  “We met up at a development camp and he’s great,” Celebrini said of Smith. “He’s a great guy and we got along very well. It’s going to be fun together. We both have the same goals and that is just to help take this team and organization as far as we can, so that’s going to be great.” Celebrini had 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 38 matches last season, and at 17 became the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award. He was second in the NCAA in points per game (1.68) and goals, and third in points. Fresh out of development camp, he said he is working on his 200-foot game and a lot of wall play. Celebrini knows there will be a large amount of pressure trying to turn San Jose around, but he said he could not be more ready. “You never really think about failing before you even start,” Celebrini said. “I mean, we’re going to try to win as many games as possible. You never want to go into a season thinking that you’re going to lose games. I feel like that’s the mindset we’re going to have. We have the group to do it, and we’ve made some great offseason moves. “It’s my first training camp, so there’s definitely a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement as well. I just feel like not letting it consume you, but kind of fuel you. At the end of the day, you’ve got to take care of what you can control and the rest will take care of itself, so I feel that’s what I’m focusing on.”

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