The Cleveland Guardians and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs Guardians Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs Guardians Pick.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians are 9-9 on the year and play the Yankees, Red Sox, and Twins next. The Cleveland Guardians are batting .228 on the season, have a .304 OBP, and a .380 slugging percentage. The Cleveland Guardians pitching staff has a 4.06 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Steven Kwan leads the Cleveland Guardians with 22 hits and 11 RBI, while Carlos Santana and Gabriel Arias have combined for 33 hits and 13 RBI.
Luis Ortiz gets the ball for the Cleveland Guardians, and he is 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA and 15 strikeouts this season. This will be Ortiz’s first career game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 8-12 on the year and play the Angels, Dodgers, and Cubs next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .197 on the season, have a .283 OBP, and a .302 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff has a 3.82 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 17 hits and 5 RBI while Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes have combined for 28 hits and 16 RBI.
Carmen Mlodzinski gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA and 14 strikeouts this season. Mlodzinski is 0-1 with a 18.00 ERA and 2 strikeouts in his career against the Cleveland Guardians.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Guardians have lost each of their last seven road games after playing the previous day.
- The underdogs have won five of the Guardians’ last six games at PNC Park.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven road games after playing the previous day.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in five of the Guardians’ last six games at PNC Park.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four road games.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five road games against National League opponents.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Guardians have won nine of their last 10 games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight night games following a win.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in 13 of their last 14 night games against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games following a home win.
- The Guardians have won the first inning in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games as home underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 29th in the league for batting average this season (.197).
- The Pirates rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.302).
- The Guardians rank 29th in the league for doubles this season (17).
- The Guardians rank T27th in the league for steals this season (8).
Pirates vs Guardians Prediction
The Guardians aren’t having a great week, with losses in three of their last four games, but they’re due for a breakout offensively. Facing Mlodzinski could be what the doctor ordered, as he’s allowed 17 hits and nine runs in 13 innings. Ortiz has calmed down after a rough season opener, as he’s allowed eight hits and four runs in his last 11.2 innings while striking out 13.
The Guardians are also the better team, no matter how you slice it, and I’m kind of waiting for the shoe to drop with the Pirates. It’s only a matter of time before the Pirates start looking more and more like a team that’s not ready to compete. Take advantage of these cheap prices while you still can. Give me the Guardians.