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NL Central rivals match up for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon when the Cincinnati Reds (28-53) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-48). Both teams are looking to make up some ground after poor starts to the season. The Pirates sit in fourth place in the division standings. Meanwhile, the Reds are in fifth place. Veteran Mike Minor (1-5, 6.82 ERA) gets the start for Cincinnati, while rookie Roansy Contreras (2-2, 4.09) is on the hill for Pittsburgh. 

First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists both teams at -110 on the money line (risk $110 to win $100) in the latest Pirates vs. Reds odds. The over-under for total runs scored is nine. Before locking in any Reds vs. Pirates picks, you need to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and it is 271-232 on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of the 2021 season, returning well over $500 for $100 players. This is the same model that pegged the 2021 Atlanta Braves at 10-1 as one of three best bets to win it all last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Reds vs. Pirates, and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several MLB odds and betting lines for Pirates vs. Reds:

  • Pirates vs. Reds money line: Pittsburgh -110, Cincinnati -110
  • Pirates vs. Reds run line: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+143)
  • Pirates vs. Reds over-under: 9 runs
  • PIT: Has returned -335 on the money line this season
  • CIN: Has returned -1736 on the money line this season 
  • Pirates vs. Red picks: See picks at SportsLine 

Why you should back the Pirates

Right fielder Jack Suwinski is a smooth athlete who has a good bat to accompany his patient approach at the plate. Suwinski can take his at-bats into deep counts before looking to turn on the pitch he likes. The 23-year-old also has a strong arm from the outfield with quality accuracy. Suwinski currently has 14 dingers along with 25 RBIs.

Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is a stout defender in the corner with a lively throwing arm. Hayes quickly dissects the play, using his awareness to make the right read. The 25-year-old is also aggressive at the plate and looks to stay in attack mode. Hayes is batting .252 with three home runs and 25 RBIs.

Why you should back the Reds

Third baseman Brandon Drury has good bat control with run-producing abilities. Drury owns a strong throwing arm from the corner with accuracy and velocity. The 29-year-old is flexible enough to both in the outfield and infield. Drury leads the team in home runs (17) and RBIs (45). On July 4, he belted a three-run bomb.

Left fielder Tommy Pham has displayed a nice combination of power, bat speed and patience. Pham is versatile on the defensive end with the ability to play all three outfield spots. The 34-year-old is second on the team in home runs (11) and third in RBIs (34). 

How to make Pirates vs. Reds picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the run total, projecting 9.8 combined runs. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the model's MLB picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Reds vs. Pirates? And which side has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of Royals vs. Astros you need to jump on Thursday, all from the model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.