Pirates vs Red Sox Prediction 8/16/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Red Sox prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, August 16th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 60-65 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 8-4 and 0-4. In game two, Pittsburgh fell behind in the second inning and never woke up at the plate in the loss. The Pirates recorded six hits and they committed one error, while they were led by Mangum, who went 2-3 in the game. Jones allowed four hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Weaver allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Marlins and two out of three against the Mets. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.32 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 625 runs with a .256 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 26 home runs and 77 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is TBD. 

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

The Boston Red Sox are 66-57 this year after they won game two by a score of 4-0 on Saturday. Boston scored once in the second inning and three times in the ninth in the win. The Red Sox recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Monasterio, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Gray allowed six hits and zero earned runs over 7.0 innings for the win, while Miller picked up a hold. Prior to this series, Boston lost three out of four against the Blue Jays and two out of three against the Athletics. 

This season, Boston has a 3.48 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 546 runs with a .248 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Willson Contreras has led the Red Sox with 24 home runs and 72 RBIs, while Jarren Duran has added 16 home runs and 61 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Patrick Sandoval, who is 1-1 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP over 30.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won seven of their last eight games as underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Red Sox have lost each of their last four games as favorites against the Pirates following a win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
• The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites against the Pirates following a win.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven day games against American League opponents.
• The Red Sox have lost the first inning in three of their last four day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in eight of their last nine games as home underdogs against American League opponents.

Why the Boston Red Sox will win

• The Red Sox have won seven of their last eight games against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last five day games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine day games at PNC Park following a loss.
• The road team has covered the run line in nine of the last 11 games between the Red Sox and Pirates.
• The Pirates have lost the first inning in three of their last four day games.
• The Red Sox have led after 3 innings in eight of their last 10 day games.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Red Sox’s last six day games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Pirates’ last 10 day games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Red Sox’s last eight games as road favorites.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Pirates’ last eight games against American League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in four of his last six appearances with his team as a home underdog against the Red Sox.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts

• Ceddanne Rafaela has hit at least one home run in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
• Patrick Sandoval has recorded five or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine appearances against NL opponents.
• Andruw Monasterio has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL opponents.
• Patrick Sandoval has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.

Pirates vs Red Sox Prediction 

Boston was able to even the series at one with a win on Saturday, but they have really struggled over the last 10 games. The Red Sox are 37-26 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 31-31 at home. Pittsburgh has won two of their last three games, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last five. The Pirates were supposed to start Skenes, but they pushed his start back, while Sandoval has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts. Take the Pirates to get the win here.