MLB Handicapping: Pirates vs Rangers

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Texas Rangers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rangers Ballpark. The Pirates will give the ball to starter Jeff Karstens in this one. Righthander Karstens is 2-2 this season with a 4.39 ERA. The Rangers will counter Karstens with ace Scott Feldman. Righthander Feldman has a 5.16 ERA to go along with a 5-6 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 245-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Michael Young smacked a two-run homer and drove in four runs as the Rangers trounced the Pirates 13-3 on Wednesday. The Rangers won that game as -185 favorites, and the 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5) set by sportsbooks. Alexi Ogando tossed three innings of scoreless relief to earn the Rangers win, and Matt Harrison closed out the win with his first save. Paul Malholm was chased from the mound after giving up seven runs in the first inning and suffered the the loss for the Pirates. Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games. Texas has won 10 straight games. Team records: Pittsburgh: 25-46 SU Texas: 43-28 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Oakland are 1-5 After playing Texas are 3-7 After a loss are 1-9 Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 8-2 After playing Pittsburgh are 8-2 After a win are 9-1 A few trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Texas Pittsburgh is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Texas is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh Next up: Pittsburgh at Oakland, Friday, June 25 Texas home to Houston, Friday, June 25 Stevie Vincent is literally 20-25 years ahead of the oddsmakers and they will be the first to admit. His forensic sports handicapping is groundbreaking and there is nothing the books have been able to do to stop him.