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Posted at 10:00 AM EST.

8:15 PM EST. Adam Wainwright is riding a hot streak at home where he is 5-1 with a 2.88 ERA. The difficulties Wainwright had locating his curve in 2016 appear to be behind him and he is working all his other pitches off the bender the way he did in 2014 and earlier. This isn’t to suggest that Wainwright is going back to being the ace that he was at his peak but he’s a gamer, he’s pitching well and he could certainly thrive here. 

Then there’s Jameson Taillon, who just might be one of the top five pitchers in the game. In fact, it’s been such a long time since we have seen a pitcher with this much talent this far under the radar. Taillon’s stuff is beyond filthy and thus, the price on the Pirates with Taillon starting makes them a must play. Furthermore, win or lose, the total of 9 in a game that features Taillon is a reflection of the market pounding overs this year and cashing too many of them. Thus, we’ll have two bets going here. Pittsburgh and the game to go under. 

Jameson Taillon features a plus-plus well-located fastball and a plus-plus curve. His fastball sits 95 and reaches 98. His release helps get downhill with slight arm-side run. His curve ranges from a big breaking hammer to sharp with drop. Dude has two variances in his outstanding curve, which almost works as two unique pitches and ultimately adds to his five pitch arsenal. Taillon is under the radar due to two lost seasons following TJ surgery. He had an excellent debut last year and he has top prospect pedigree. His rise this year in his swing and miss rate and his first-pitch strike rate hint at potential for higher K’s, although he has 39 punchouts in 45 innings. He also features an elite groundball rate of 53% and he’s very likely going to be stretched out further here after being limited to five innings or 90 pitches in his last two starts after returning from testicular surgery. Taillon comes in with a 2.91 xERA over his last two starts and his rise to ace status is going to happen quickly. Buy him before that happens. 

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