Pittsburgh @ Texas Picks & Props

Globe Life Field projects as the #29 ballpark in the majors for right-handed base hits, via the leading projection system (THE BAT). Among all major league stadiums, Globe Life Field's centerfield dimensions are the 6th-deepest. The Globe Life Field roof figures to be closed today, making weather conditions in this game -5° colder than the average outdoor game on the slate — favorable for pitching. Considering Dane Dunning's large platoon split, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be at a tremendous disadvantage hitting from the same side of the plate in this game. Among all the teams playing today, the 4th-strongest infield defense is that of the Texas Rangers.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nathaniel Lowe in the 89th percentile when estimating his BABIP talent. Nathaniel Lowe is projected to bat 5th on the lineup card today. Nathaniel Lowe will hold the platoon advantage over Luis Ortiz in today's game... and the cherry on top, Ortiz has a huge platoon split. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nathaniel Lowe will benefit from the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to improve all of his stats.

Oneil Cruz's BABIP skill is projected in the 96th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Oneil Cruz is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in today's game. Considering Dane Dunning's large platoon split, Oneil Cruz will have an enormous advantage batting from the opposite side of the plate today. Oneil Cruz has posted a .351 Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year, placing in the 88th percentile for hitting ability according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. Oneil Cruz has put up a .356 BABIP this year, placing in the 96th percentile.

Rowdy Tellez is projected to hit 5th in the lineup today. Considering Dane Dunning's large platoon split, Rowdy Tellez will have a tremendous advantage batting from the opposite side of the plate in today's matchup. Rowdy Tellez's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has gotten better recently, increasing from 45.8% on the season to 57.7% in the last two weeks.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Leody Taveras in the 77th percentile when it comes to his batting average ability. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Home field advantage generally improves hitter stats in all categories, and Leody Taveras will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Leody Taveras's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has gotten better of late, rising from 44.1% on the season to 58.6% over the last 14 days. Leody Taveras has compiled a .271 Expected Batting Average this year, checking in at the 82nd percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data.

Corey Seager projects as the 8th-best batter in the majors, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Corey Seager is projected to bat 2nd in the lineup in this matchup. Corey Seager will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Luis Ortiz in today's matchup... and moreover, Ortiz has a huge platoon split. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics in all categories, and Corey Seager will hold that advantage in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ji Hwan Bae as the 20th-best hitter in the game when estimating his BABIP talent. Given Dane Dunning's large platoon split, Ji Hwan Bae will have a big advantage hitting from the opposite side of the dish in today's game. Ji Hwan Bae has made substantial strides with his Barrel%, upping his 2.2% rate last season to 16.7% this year. Ji Hwan Bae has made big gains with his Barrel% recently, bettering his 16.7% seasonal rate to 23.1% in the past two weeks' worth of games.

Josh Smith is projected to bat 3rd in the batting order in this game. Josh Smith will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Luis Ortiz in today's game... and the cherry on top, Ortiz has a huge platoon split. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Josh Smith will possess the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Josh Smith has posted a .340 wOBA (the best measure of overall offense) this year, grading out in the 80th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Bryan Reynolds in the 95th percentile when assessing his BABIP ability. Bryan Reynolds is penciled in 2nd in the batting order today. The switch-hitting Bryan Reynolds will have the advantage of batting from from his strong side (0) today against Dane Dunning... and even better, Dunning has a large platoon split. Bryan Reynolds has notched a .345 Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year, checking in at the 84th percentile for offensive skills according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. With a .270 Expected Batting Average (an advanced metric created by the leading projection system (THE BAT X) using Statcast data) this year , Bryan Reynolds is ranked in the 80th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Bryan De La Cruz in the 90th percentile when assessing his BABIP ability. This season, Bryan De La Cruz has experienced a significant gain in his exit velocity on flyballs, now sitting at an average of 94.4 mph compared to last year's 92.4 mph mark. Last season, Bryan De La Cruz had an average launch angle of 12.3° on his highest exit velocity balls, while this year it has significantly increased to 17.6°. Over the past two weeks, Bryan De La Cruz's 23.8% rate of hitting balls at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 17%.

When assessing his overall offensive ability, Marcus Semien ranks in the 90th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Marcus Semien is projected to bat 1st in the lineup in today's game. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marcus Semien will possess the home field advantage today, which ought to boost all of his stats. In the last week's worth of games, Marcus Semien's 58.3% rate of hitting balls at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 46.8%.

Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jonah Heim will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats.

When it comes to his overall offensive talent, Wyatt Langford ranks in the 90th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wyatt Langford will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to boost all of his stats. Over the last week, Wyatt Langford's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 7.8% up to 22.2%. Wyatt Langford has seen a big increase in his exit velocity on flyballs recently; just compare his 98.9-mph average in the past two weeks' worth of games to his seasonal figure of 91.5-mph.

When assessing his overall offensive skill, Adolis Garcia ranks in the 86th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Adolis Garcia is projected to bat 4th in the lineup in this matchup. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Home field advantage typically boosts hitter metrics in all categories, and Adolis Garcia will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Over the past week, Adolis Garcia's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 12.1% up to 22.2%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Josh Jung as the 18th-best batter in the game when it comes to his BABIP skill. Out of all the teams on the slate today, the best infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Josh Jung will benefit from the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Last season, Josh Jung had an average launch angle of 14.8° on his hardest-contacted balls, while this year it has significantly increased to 18.9°. In the last 7 days, Josh Jung's 61.5% rate of hitting balls at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 53.7%.

Joey Bart is penciled in 4th on the lineup card in this matchup, which would be an upgrade from his 68% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the batting order this year. In the past 7 days, Joey Bart's Barrel% has experienced a negative regression, plummeting from his seasonal rate of 11.3% down to 0%. Joey Bart has been hot in recent games, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 89.8-mph to 97.1-mph over the last week. Utilizing Statcast data, Joey Bart is in the 81st percentile for offensive skills per the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year at .335. By putting up a .382 wOBA (a leading indicator of offensive ability) this year, Joey Bart is ranked in the 94th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 77th percentile as it relates to his batting average talent.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jared Triolo in the 91st percentile when estimating his BABIP talent.

Yasmani Grandal has seen a big increase in his exit velocity this season; just compare his 91.1-mph average to last year's 87.9-mph mark. Last year, Yasmani Grandal had an average launch angle of 9° on his hardest-contacted balls, while this season it has significantly increased to 12.5°.

Michael A. Taylor has gone over 0.5 in 3 of his last 10 games.