In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Guardians Game 2 Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, July 18th in the second game of this series and the second of today’s double-header. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cleveland Guardians Preview
The Cleveland Guardians have a 51-46 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the AL Central. They have a 24-22 home record and are coming off a 5-2 road win against the Marlins. They will face the Twins and the Rays next.
The Cleveland Guardians have a .229 batting average this season, .310 OBP and .369 Slugging percentage. Cleveland’s pitching staff has a 3.71 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Chase DeLauter is the team’s best hitter with a .278 batting average. He also leads the team in RBI with 46, while Angel Martinez adds a team-high 11 home runs.
Logan Allen (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, and he has a 0-0 record, 0.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 50-47 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the NL Central. They have a 23-23 away record and are coming off a 14-5 home win against the Brewers. They will face the Yankees and the Cubs next.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a .263 batting average this season, .342 OBP and .426 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.32 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .308 batting average. Brandon Lowe leads the team in RBI with 64, adding a team-high 21 home runs.
Braxton Ashcraft (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has a 9-3 record, 3.49 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends: July 18, 2026: Game 2
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Logan Allen Record this season: 0-0 ERA: 0.00
- Home Record: 0-0
- Last 5 against Pirates: 1-0
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Braxton Ashcraft Record this season: 9-3 ERA: 3.49
- Road Record: 5-2
- Last 5 against Guardians: –
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 road games against American League opponents following a home win.
- The Guardians have won each of their last five day games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last five games.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last six day games against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Guardians have lost each of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Pirates have won each of their last six games against AL Central opponents.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as home favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in 19 of the Guardians’ last 21 games at Progressive Field.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in six of their last seven day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Guardians’ last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Four of the Pirates’ last five games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the last 10 day games between the Pirates and Guardians.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of Jared Jones’ last eight road appearances as a starter.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Chase DeLauter has hit a home run in three of the Guardians’ last four games.
- Brayan Rocchio has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last nine games as home favorites.
- Gavin Williams has recorded a win in six of his last seven appearances against NL opponents.
- Gavin Williams ranks T5th in the league for Wins (10) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games.
- Jared Jones has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances in day games against AL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.308) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for RBIs this season (368).
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.369).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (886).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for batting average this season (.263).
Pirates vs Guardians Game 2 Prediction
The Guardians are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Pirates, having won two of their last three meetings in Cleveland.
In this Pirates vs Guardians Game 2 Prediction, both teams are coming at a pickem price. Both teams have been in very good form lately and the Pirates’ offense has been scorching-hot lately, averaging 7 runs per game in their last 10 games and have the second-best offense in baseball. Braxton Ashcraft has been excellent this season and the far better option than Logan Allen who has just one game under his belt this season and has a career 4.44 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Take the Pirates to win this one on the road.