Published Apr 2, 8:51pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 2, 8:51pm ET
Shutterstock
Updated Apr 2, 8:51pm ET
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| Pittsburgh Pirates | +111 |
| Baltimore Orioles | -122 |
Kyle Bradish missed much of the 2024 and 2025 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 2023, he was a linchpin in the Orioles' rotation with a 4.8 bWAR, finishing 4th in the AL Cy Young Award voting. He was effective in his 2025 return, making 6 starts, posting a 2.53 ERA, and a 1.2 bWAR.
In his first start of the season, he tossed 4.2 innings, allowed 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 homer, walked 3, and struck out 4.
At the plate, the Orioles have been inconsistent thus far. New 1st baseman Pete Alonso is hitting .304 with an .819 OPS and a home run. Taylor Ward is hitting .333, as is Colton Cowser. Adley Rutschman is batting .286 with 3 doubles.
Tyler O'Neill is hitting .143 with a homer. Gunnar Henderson is batting .160 with a home run.
Against Pirates starter Mitch Keller, Alonso is 1 for 15. O'Neill is 3 for 15 with a double. Ward is 2 for 7.
The Pirates' hopes for 2026 rest largely on their starting rotation, led by Paul Skenes and #2 starter Mitch Keller.
Keller is a former All-Star who has become a reliable innings eater, throwing at least 159 innings every season since 2022. He can be much more than a mid-rotation arm, as he showed in his first 2026 start against the Mets. In 6 innings, he allowed 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 3.
Newly acquired Brandon Lowe has been searing at the plate with a .333 average, a 1.343 OPS, and 3 homers. Oneil Cruz is hitting .304 with a 1.029 OPS and 3 homers. Ryan O'Hearn is batting .421 with 2 homers. Nick Gonzales is batting .333 with 2 doubles.
Marcell Ozuna has gotten off to a horrible start, batting .050. Spencer Horwitz is batting .133 with a .321 OPS.
Against Bradish, Cruz is 1 for 3 with a single. Lowe is 3 for 10 with a double. Ozuna is 1 for 2 with a home run. Bryan Reynolds is 1 for 5.
The Pirates have made moves to try to excite their fan base and have shown improvement so far this season. However, they've gotten off to good starts in the past and fallen into a familiar terribleness.
However, Keller is a solid arm. The Orioles have been up-and-down at the plate and Bradish is still working back to his previous form.
The Pirates will take their home opener over the Orioles behind Keller.
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Pittsburgh Pirates +111
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