Pirates (Crowe, 4-7, 5.77) vs Phillies (R. Suarez, 6-5, 1.60)

The Phillies are 8-2 and will have to continue that at pace for any playoff hopes. They won against the Pirates on Friday and likely will again with Rangers Suarez on the mound. Lefty, Suarez has been as good as anyone since taking a starting role. He is very sharp at home and has only given up 5 runs in 17 innings in his last three starts. The Phillies’ bull pen, long a problem spot this season, has been sharp of late.

Will Crowe’s last start was solid, but he has an ERA of 8.25 in three starts in September, so that one might have been an anomaly. His outings have been on the short side, and the Pirates’ pen has been heavily worked and below average of late. The Pirates are not a good road team nor do they fair well against left-handers.

The Phillies are 6th in offense at the moment, and solid both at home and vs right-handers. Suarez is the much better pitcher. I like the Phillies in this game and so do the oddsmakers. Take the Phillies -1.5.