Inclement weather on Tuesday has forced the Pirates and the Yankees into a doubleheader on Wednesday, with Game 1 set to go at 1:05 p.m. ET in the Bronx.
Let’s preview the first leg of this interleague clash and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Pirates vs. Yankees prediction, preview
Mitch Keller has been on the Pirates for a very long time, yet not quite long enough to have crossed paths with Gerrit Cole. That’s why calling this afternoon’s outing a “revenge start” probably doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s been a decade since Cole pitched for Pittsburgh, and it’s been over 15 years since the organization drafted the RHP first-overall out of UCLA. Heck, Cole with be 36-years-old by the end of this season.
Cole will still be looking to make a positive impact, though. Especially with how his last start ended. After six scoreless innings against the Dodgers, Cole walked Mookie Betts to begin the seventh inning. He then convinced Aaron Boone to keep him in the contest, only to give up the eventual game-winning home run to Max Muncy. With all that said, it was probably Cole’s best outing in some time. As Cole continues to work his way back from an extended injury absence, his recent on-field results have been a little underwhelming. To wit, the right-hander owns a 5.10 ERA and a 4.54 FIP since the beginning of June. Ironically, its been home runs that have been Cole’s kryptonite in this span, as he’s surrendered 1.91 long balls per nine.
This is a Pirates lineup that can take advantage of mistakes, too. It’s not like seasons past. In fact, in July, Pittsburgh ranks first in batting average (.292), second in wOBA (.371), second in wRC+ (133) and ninth in ISO (.188). This is all also mostly happening with Oneil Cruz (hand), Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) and former top prospect Konnor Griffin (finger) on the IL. It’s impressive stuff.
However, it’s unclear if the Pirates can score enough to balance out the presence of the aforementioned Keller. While the RHP has always been a bit streaky, Keller really hasn’t pitched this poorly since all the way back in 2021. The veteran comes into Wednesday’s action in possession of a 5.14 ERA and a 5.39 xERA. There’s nothing all that redeeming under the hood, either. Thanks partially to a 12th percentile whiff rate (20.0%), Keller is giving up a fifth percentile opponent expected batting average this season (.289). He’s simply been bad.
Pirates vs. Yankees pick, best bet
Best Bet: Ben Rice 2+ Total Bases (-115)
Rice ranks in the 96th percentile in expected wOBA (.386) and expected slugging (.530). He’s also got a 167 wRC+ when hitting at Yankee Stadium in 2026. Meanwhile, Keller has allowed opposing LHBs to combine for a .500 slugging percentage and a .363 wOBA.
