The MLB betting action goes on Sunday, May 29, 2022, with the closing contest of a three-game National League series between Pittsburgh and San Diego, so we bring you the best Pirates vs. Padres betting pick and odds. 

According to BetOnline Sportsbook, San Diego is a -200 home fave for Sunday’s game. Pittsburgh is a +184 moneyline underdog, and the totals sit at 7.5 runs. The Padres won Friday’s opener 4-3 as -215 favorites, while the middle game of this series has been excluded from the analysis.  

The Pirates returned to losing ways                           

After winning a three-game home set against the Colorado Rockies, the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a tough defeat at Petco Park in San Diego this past Friday. The Bucs blew a 3-0 lead, tallying their seventh loss in the last ten outings and dropping to 18-26 on the season. 

Pittsburgh owns the second-lowest scoring offense in the majors, racking up 3.39 runs per game. The Pirates rank 27th in the MLB in batting average (.223), 26th in on-base percentage (.295), and 28th in slugging percentage (.352). On the pitching side of things, they sport a 4.64 ERA (26th) and a 1.38 WHIP (also 26th). 

Roansy Contreras will get the nod Sunday in California, and the 22-year-old righty is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in one start and three relief appearances in 2022. Last Tuesday, Contreras pitched five scoreless frames in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies, allowing three hits and a couple of walks while punching out five. 

The Padres overcame a three-run deficit to snap their two-game skid                 

The San Diego Padres started their six-game homestand with a 3-2 ten-inning victory to Milwaukee. After a couple of straight losses to the Brewers, 4-1 and 2-1, the Padres returned to the right track with a 4-3 win to the Pirates. They improved to 29-16, still trailing the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by a couple of games. 

San Diego is scoring 4.31 runs per game (14th in the majors). The Pads rank 21st in the MLB in batting average (.232), 15th in on-base percentage (.313), and 26th in slugging percentage (.354). They own a solid 3.40 ERA (7th) and a 1.13 WHIP (6th). 

MacKenzie Gore will toe the slab Sunday, and the 23-year-old lefty is enjoying a wonderful rookie season. Through 35 innings of work (six starts and one relief appearance), Gore has registered a shiny 2.06 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, and 38/11 K/BB ratio. Last Sunday, Gore notched his first quality start, tossing six frames of a one-run ball in a 10-1 dismantling of the San Francisco Giants. 

Trends:

Pittsburgh: 

  • 3-7 in the last ten games overall 
  • 2-6 in the last eight games against San Diego 

San Diego:

  • 6-2 in the last eight games overall  
  • 11-5 in the last 16 games against the NL Central 

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres Pick 

I was all over the Padres in the opening game of this set and would take them at moneyline odds once more. San Diego’s bullpen has been outstanding over the last ten days, posting a sparkling 1.27 ERA and 2.96 FIP to go with three wins and four saves. 

If MacKenzie Gore continues with his strong performance, the Padres shouldn’t have any problems outlasting the Pirates, whose bullpen has registered a 4.31 ERA and 4.05 FIP in the last ten days of action. 

Pick: Take San Diego Padres at -200                         

The Total:

Roansy Contreras is a mystery in this matchup. The talented righty is the No. 5 prospect in the Pirates farm system, and he leans heavily on a four-seam fastball, slider, and curveball. Roansy ranks in the 92nd percentile in fastball spin, but it’s a small sample size. 

On the other side, the Pirates could easily struggle to hit well against MacKenzie Gore. They own a .653 OPS against the left-handed pitchers in 2022. I lean toward the under, but you never know with the Pirates’ bullpen.  

Pick: Go under 7.5 runs at -110