*action on pitchers* MLB Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 in Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers @ 7:05 ET - This play more about the sticks than the pitchers so I am going action on the pitchers as per usual. Brubaker is the expected starter for the Pirates and he has struggled badly on the season with a 1-7 record and 4.14 ERA. Also, in the month of June, opponents are hitting .294 against him! The way the Brewers are swinging the bats right now (won 5-3 yesterday and hit some more homers) I expect Brubaker's struggles to continue! Speaking of struggling, the Brewers Houser has not pitched well this season since a solid April. His May and June have been rough and the biggest key of all here is that Houser has consistently struggled each of the last 4 years against left-handed hitters! The Pirates had nearly every single hitter stepping in on that side of the batters box in yesterday's huge 8-7 win at Washington. I expect a parade of lefties to the plate for Pittsburgh tonight and this will be tough on Houser. Again, regardless of starting pitchers, the Brewers have been playing well and with a lot of confidence and scoring runs. Also, the Pirates off a high-scoring road win and now back home where they have scored well. Pittsburgh is 4-1 last 5 home games and has scored an average of 7 runs per game last 6 home games! Neither bullpen overly impressive this season (as Milwaukee seems down a notch in that department and Pirates struggling with relievers as usual). Also, the Brewers have won 11 of 16 games and scored an average of 6 runs per game in the 11 victories. In their last 9 losses, Milwaukee has allowed an average of 7 runs per game. You can see, given those numbers, why I am anticipating at least 9 runs scored for these teams combined. 10* OVER 8.5 in Pittsburgh