San Diego Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds & Pick: July 23rd 2010

San Diego Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Pick: San Diego Padres -109 odds
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Getting the Padres at nearly even money Friday against the Pirates is certainly worthy of a free play today. San Diego is 55-39 this season and sitting atop the NL West, while the Pirates are 34-61 which is last in the NL Central. In 3 career starts vs. Pittsburgh, Padres starter Kevin Correia is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA. He pitched 7 shutout innings in his last start at Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 0-3 in Paul Maholm’s 3 career starts vs. San Diego, and he allowed 3 runs and 12 base runners in 6 innings in his last start against the Padres. That was the same game Correia went 7 scoreless in a 4-0 Padres victory.

Correia is 16-7 after a loss over the last 2 seasons. Correia is 7-1 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. The righty is a very profitable 20-4 as a favorite since 1997. Pittsburgh is just 7-28 vs. an NL team with a batting average of .255 or worse in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The Pirates are 5-22 vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The Padres are 8-0 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game. San Diego is 7-0 in Correia’s last 7 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. Enough said. Bet the Padres Friday.