The struggling Pittsburgh Pirates (34-39) open a 4-game road series on Thursday against the Miami Marlins (42-33). First pitch from loanDepot Park is 6:40 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

Season series: First meeting; Miami won 4 of 7 games in 2022

The Pirates have lost 9 straight games. They were swept in a 3-game series at home by the Chicago Cubs closing things out Wednesday with an 8-3 loss.

The Marlins lost the final 2 games of their home series against the Toronto Blue Jays including a 6-3 loss on Wednesday. Before losing 2 in a row they had a 5-game winning streak. They have won 13 of their last 18 games.

Pirates at Marlins projected starters

RHP Mitch Keller vs. LHP Braxton Garrett

Keller (8-3 3.62 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP 2.5 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 in 92 innings.

• Last start: Loss 5 IP 4 ER 5 H 3 BB 7 K in 5-0 road loss to Milwaukee Brewers last Saturday
• Is 3-2 with 6.14 ERA over last 5 starts (29 1/3 IP)

Garrett (3-2 3.88 ERA) makes his 14th start and 15th appearance. He has a 1.22 WHIP 1.8 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 69 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Win 6 IP 1 ER 4 H 1 BB 8 K in 5-2 road win over the Washington Nationals last Saturday
• Is 2-0 with 2.73 ERA over last 5 starts (26 1/3 IP)

Pirates at Marlins odds

• Moneyline (ML): Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Marlins -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-165) | Marlins -1.5 (+140)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -120 | U: (+100)

Pirates at Marlins picks and predictions

Prediction

Marlins 6 Pirates 3

Moneyline

The Pirates are struggling. They have lost 9 straight games and 12 of their last 14. They have lost 6 in a row on the road dropping them to 16-20 away from home.

The Marlins are 13-5 in their last 18 games allowing 2 or fewer runs in 5 of their last 7 games.

The Marlins on the moneyline isn’t a bad play for the opener but the way the Pirates have been losing the run line can win you more money.

PASS.

Run line/Against the spread

Eleven of the Marlins’ last 13 wins have been by at least 2 runs wile 11 of the Pirates’ last 12 losses have been by 2 or more runs.

Pittsburgh is 34-39 ATS overall this season while Miami is 36-39 ATS.

BET MARLINS -1.5 (+140).

Over/Under

Seven of the Marlins’ last 10 games have had more than 7 total runs. The Pirates have been shut out 3 times in their last 5 games and have only scored 5 runs in those 5 contests but 6 of their last 9 games have had totals of 8 or more runs.

BET OVER 7 (-120).