MLB Picks: Miami Marlins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Miami Marlins are 9-4 in their last 13 games versus left-handed starters, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as they prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Courtesy of SBR Forum, the Marlins are plus-170 road underdogs in the pro baseball odds, with the betting total sitting at seven in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this National League matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way.

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have dropped back-to-back games, including a 2-0 setback to the Cleveland Indians as plus-109 home underdogs Sunday.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez is 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in his last three efforts.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 6-2 on their current 11-game homestand, which includes a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies as minus-1825 favorites Sunday.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke suffered a 2-0 road defeat in his first career outing versus the Miami Marlins on July 26.

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Miami Marlins in the first five innings, as the Pittsburgh Pirates are 1-4 in Jeff Locke's last five starts versus National League East opponents.

MLB Pick: Miami Marlins plus-170 First Five Innings

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