The set-up: This series features a couple of interesting match-ups on the mound, but this particular one is even more lop-sided than what the oddsmakers want us to believe in my opinion. The visitors hand the ball to Austin Gomber, while the home side goes with Ivan Nova.


The pitchers: Gomber is so far 1-0 with a 3.22 ERA. He made his first major-league start in Cincinnati on July 24th and gave up two earned runs over 6.1 innings. Gomber's been decent, not spectacular and clearly he draws a tough match-up here.


Nova is so far 6-6 with a 4.33 ERA. He most recently gave up four runs off six hits over five innings in a loss to the Mets on Friday. Previous to that "dud" though Nova had looked pretty good by giving up just six runs over 17 frames of work. The 31 year old comes into this one sporting a 1.29 WHIP and 82:22 K/BB over 114.1 frames.


The pick: Clearly the sky is the limit for Gomber, but I think the rookie will come up short here on the road. Nova for the most part has been solid this year and I think he'll get the better of his younger counterpart. Lay the price, play on the Pirates.