Pittsburgh Pirates vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions September 9th 2024

The forecast from Pittsburgh on Monday calls for clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s. First pitch for this matchup is 6:40 PM ET from PNC Park. The Marlins are 54-89 overall, while the Pirates are 67-76. Paul Skenes is Monday’s Pirates starter, and the Marlins are going with Valente Bellozo.

Pittsburgh is the heavy favorite on the money line, with the odds sitting at -253 compared to the Marlins at +210. The over/under line is currently 7.5 runs, and the game can be seen on BSFL.

Miami vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Pirates
• Where: PNC Park Pittsburgh
• Date: Monday, September 9th
• Betting Odds PIT -253 | MIA +210 O/U 7.5

The Marlins Can Win If…

Miami is sending Valente Bellozo to the mound today vs. the Pirates, and he has made nine starts this year. Bellozo’s overall record is 2-2, and he has an ERA of 3.78. In his 47 2/3 innings of work, Bellozo has allowed a total of nine home runs. Looking back at his last outing, Bellozo finished with a no-decision vs. the Nationals. In that start, he went six innings and didn’t give up a run. He only allowed one hit in that outing. Before that, he had given up at least two earned runs in three straight starts.

Over his last seven games, Connor Norby has been on fire for the Marlins, going 10/29 with four homers and nine RBIs. Norby is also currently on a seven-game hitting streak. Jake Burger and Jesús Sánchez have been the Marlins’ top power threats this season, with Burger leading the team with 25 homers and Sánchez right behind him at 17. As a team, the Marlins are just 22nd in home runs and are averaging only 3.8 runs per game (29th in the MLB).

Overall, the Marlins are batting just .241, which is 15th in the league, and they have the worst walk rate in the league. Miami is also near the bottom of the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. For the season, they are averaging 3.5 runs per game on the road and 4.2 runs per game at home.

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• The Marlins are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 5.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 5-5
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Miami has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.3 runs per game on offense

The Pirates Can Win If…

Paul Skenes is getting the start for the Pirates today and comes into the game with a record of 9-2 and an ERA of 2.13. So far this year, he has made 19 starts, and opponents have a batting average of .195 off the right-hander. Skenes has pitched well at home, coming in with a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 2.83. His ERA on the road is 1.5, and he has a record of 4-1. In his last outing, Skenes didn’t give up a run, getting the win in 5 innings of work. Before that, he had given up at least two earned runs in three straight starts.

For the season, the Pirates are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 18th in the league. However, they have been a bit better at home, averaging 4.4 runs per game. As a team, they are batting just .236 and have the 21st ranked home run total in the league.

Bryan Reynolds has been the Pirates’ top hitter this season, batting .276 with a team-leading 80 RBIs and 22 homers. Andrew McCutchen and Bryan De La Cruz have also been solid power threats, with 19 homers apiece. McCutchen has gone deep twice in his last five games but is just 4/18 in that stretch. Nick Gonzales has been hot of late, batting .343 over his last nine games.

• The Pirates are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Pirates are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Pirates have an average of 5.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Pirates are 4-6
• Looking back across the Pirates last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Pittsburgh has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Pirates have averaged 3.1 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for an over/under pick would be to take the over, as this is our lowest projected scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have the Pirates coming out on top. Neither starter is projected to have a big strikeout game, but between the two, we have Paul Skenes working deeper into the game. Look for the Pirates to take care of business at home today.

Paul Skenes Aims for 10th Win as Pittsburgh Pirates Take on Miami Marlins in Series Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates (67-76) gear up for a fresh three-game series against the Miami Marlins (54-89), with rookie sensation Paul Skenes eyeing his 10th win of the season. Both teams enter the matchup on a high after strong series finales—Pirates beating the Washington Nationals, and the Marlins dismantling the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rookie Showdown: Paul Skenes vs. Valente Bellozo

The spotlight is on the young guns as the Pirates’ Paul Skenes (9-2, 2.13 ERA) goes head-to-head with the Marlins’ rookie Valente Bellozo (2-2, 3.78 ERA). Both pitchers are fresh faces with something to prove.

Paul Skenes has been nothing short of dominant lately, winning his last three starts and boasting a 1.64 ERA across his past four outings. In his most recent start against the Cubs, he threw 100 pitches across five scoreless innings. Despite getting into some early trouble—loading the bases in the first two innings—Skenes held his ground, allowing just four hits and four walks while striking out six. His ability to perform under pressure is becoming a hallmark of his game.

Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton couldn’t be prouder, saying, “Every tough situation he faces is a learning opportunity. He’s growing up in the big leagues, and that experience is priceless.”

For Skenes, this will be his first-ever showdown against the Marlins, adding another layer of intrigue to his next test.

On the flip side, Bellozo is riding high off his best outing yet—six-plus scoreless innings against the Nationals, giving up just three hits. He did stumble in his two starts before that, but his recent bounce-back performance signals he’s capable of keeping the Marlins in the game.

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Pirates Offense Fueled by Rookie Firepower

As the Pirates prepare for this series, they’re riding the momentum of their young hitters. They just split a four-game set with the Nationals, and rookie Billy Cook played a massive role in their 7-3 victory on Sunday. Cook, called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, made his major league debut and wasted no time contributing. Normally an outfielder, he stepped in at first base and delivered a clutch two-run double and a single.

Cook said after the game, “I’m here to do whatever I can for the team—whether it’s in the outfield, first base, or wherever they need me.”

Cook’s rise has been rapid. He was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent pitcher Patrick Reilly to the Orioles. At Triple-A, Cook was impressive, hitting .276 with five home runs and nine stolen bases. Now, he’s making an impact on the big stage.

Alongside Cook, veteran catcher Joey Bart provided some pop with a two-run homer, while seasoned stars Andrew McCutcheon and Michael A. Taylor each launched solo shots in Sunday’s win. Bart’s bat is heating up at just the right time, giving the Pirates a much-needed power boost in the lineup.

Marlins Hope to Build on Offensive Surge

The Marlins, too, come into this series on the back of some impressive play, splitting their four-game series with the Phillies. Sunday’s 10-1 victory over Philadelphia was a statement win, with rookie Connor Norby leading the charge. Norby hit his first multi-homer game of his career, continuing his hot streak since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in August. He now has six homers and 13 RBIs in just 18 games, hitting safely in 17 of those.

Norby shared, “I’ve been focusing on refining my approach at the plate, and it’s starting to click. Contributing at this level is an amazing feeling.”

Griffin Conine, another rising star for the Marlins, had three hits in the win, showing he’s more than capable of being a consistent bat in the lineup. Conine’s progress is exciting for Miami, as they look to the future with these talented young players.

And keep an eye on rookie Javier Sanoja, who had two hits in his first major league start on Sunday. Sanoja, just 22, has zoomed through the Marlins’ minor league system this year, and his ability to adapt quickly at each level is turning heads. Marlins’ skipper Skip Schumaker has been impressed with the young infielder’s growth, saying, “He’s young, but he’s showing he belongs here.”

Rookies Taking Center Stage for Both Teams

Neither the Pirates nor the Marlins are in the playoff hunt this season, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to play for. With both teams focusing on developing their young talent, this series is a showcase of future stars. Paul Skenes and Valente Bellozo represent the next wave of ace pitchers for their respective teams, while the likes of Billy Cook, Joey Bart, and Michael A. Taylor for the Pirates, and Connor Norby, Griffin Conine, and Javier Sanoja for the Marlins, are putting their stamp on the game.

The youth movement is in full swing for both clubs, and it’s not just about development—it’s about building something special. For Pittsburgh, Cook, Bart, and Taylor are forming the core of a lineup that could contend in the near future. Over in Miami, Norby, Conine, and Sanoja are giving fans a reason to be excited about what’s to come.

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Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Pittsburgh and Miami

While neither team is playoff-bound this year, both the Pirates and Marlins are laying the groundwork for a promising future. Paul Skenes has already shown the stuff of a future ace, while the Marlins’ pipeline continues to churn out potential stars like Norby and Conine. These rookies are making waves now, but it’s clear they’re only getting started.

As the season winds down, all eyes will be on these young players, as fans of both teams hope they’ll be the foundation for something greater. Whether it’s Skenes chasing his 10th win or Norby and Conine continuing to mash, the future of both the Pirates and Marlins looks bright.

Conclusion

The Pirates and Marlins may not be playoff contenders this season, but there’s plenty of excitement in watching their young talent shine. As Paul Skenes looks for his 10th win and Valente Bellozo tries to build on his recent success, these rookies are making the case that their teams are on the rise. With players like Billy Cook, Joey Bart, Connor Norby, and Griffin Conine leading the charge, this series is all about the future—one filled with promise for both Pittsburgh and Miami.