Pittsburgh got the perfect get well tonic after an eight-game losing streak -- an American League team. The Pirates swept a two-game series at Texas and now they get Oakland who has lost six straight. The Pirates have had some amazing luck in interleague games going 15-5 last season and starting out 4-0 this season. Joe Musgrove has given up only eight earned runs in his five starts. Pirates win.

My data sees the Athletics defeating the Pirates in more than 55 percent of simulations for their series opener Friday, providing a strong value position on Oakland. The Athletics have lost six straight games, but they are 5-1 in their last six at Pittsburgh and my data suggests Oakland has the edge behind Brett Anderson, who is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates.