Pittsburgh at New York

Braxton Ashcraft has quietly turned into one of the better arms in the National League this year, sitting on a 3.49 ERA and swing-and-miss stuff that’s held up start after start, and tonight he takes that form on the road to the Bronx. The Pirates have gotten little national attention while pushing for a Wild Card spot, but Ashcraft’s stuff has been good enough to keep just about any lineup in check this season, exactly the kind of arm that keeps a score down against a good club. Weathers counters for New York with a serviceable but unspectacular ERA north of four, and neither pitcher figures to get chased early. Add in bullpens on both sides that haven’t been overworked the last few days, and this shapes up as a pitchers’ duel more than a track meet. With the Yankees likely held below their typical scoring pace and Pittsburgh’s staff built to grind out low-scoring nights, the total shouldn’t need to sniff the number the market posted. Take the UNDER tonight.