Pirates vs. Reds prediction and odds for Sunday, April 2 (Value on total)

The Pirates and Reds finish the first season of the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Pittsburgh will look to get back in the win column after losing 6-2 on Saturday afternoon, but the offense has been formidable to start the season, tallying 13 hits through the first two games.

The Buccos will turn to free agent signing Vince Velasquez on Sunday afternoon, can the veteran arm outduel one of the Reds prized prospects in Graham Ashcraft?

Here are the odds and our betting preview for Sunday's matchup:

Pirates vs. Reds odds, run line and total

Pirates vs. Reds prediction and pick

Velasquez has bounced around the league of late, this is his fourth team in three seasons, and will look to find a home in Pittsburgh. He struggled to go long into games last season, he didn't pitch more than five innings in a game from June to the end of the season, and the Reds offense has thrived at the hitter friendly Great American Ball Park.

Last season, the team was 16th in slugging percentage at home, up from 28th on the road.

If we can't trust Velasquez, can the Pirates emerging offense pick up the slack? I believe so, the team has been solid at the plate already this season and have emerging hitters such as Oneil Cruz already proving to be taking steps forward as a bat in the lineup.

Further, these were two of the three worst teams in terms of bullpen ERA last season. Velasquez has had his struggles recently and Ashcraft is only in his second season as a big league. He doesn't have much supporting him out of the pen.

I'll go over given the hitter friendly conditions and poor bullpens.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.