Pirates vs Royals Prediction 9/18/26 MLB Picks Today

The Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action at PNC Park. Here’s a Pirates vs. Royals Prediction. This article will include a Pirates vs. Royals Pick.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals are 67-86 on the year and play the Guardians and White Sox next. The Kansas City Royals are batting .244 on the season, have a .314 OBP, and have a .397 slugging percentage. The Kansas City Royals’ pitching staff has a 4.63 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Kansas City Royals with 144 hits and 54 RBI, while Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone have combined for 259 hits and 142 RBI.

Randy Dobnak gets the ball for the Kansas City Royals, and he is 3-4 with a 2.73 ERA and 47 strikeouts this season. This will be Dobnak’s second career game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 76-77 this year and play the Cardinals and Tigers next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .253 on the season, with a .330 OBP and a .402 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.19 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 160 hits and 60 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 293 hits and 160 RBI.

Paul Skenes gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 10-11 with a 3.78 ERA and 185 strikeouts this season. This will be Skenes’ first career game against the Kansas City Royals.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Royals have lost each of their last eight road games against NL opponents.
• The Pirates have won eight of their last nine home games against AL Central opponents.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites against the Royals.
• The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents.
• The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Royals have won five of their last six games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last six games as favorites following a home win.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 night games at PNC Park following a home win.
• The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last nine road games against the Pirates.
• The Royals have won the first inning in three of their last four road games against NL Central opponents.
• The Royals have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in 21 of their last 28 night games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Royals’ last 11 games has gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight games against AL opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last seven games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last six home games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Paul Skenes has recorded six or more strikeouts in 18 of his 19 previous appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his eight previous appearances in night games against AL Central teams that held a losing record.
• Henry Davis has hit a home run in each of his last two home appearances.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.304) this season.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Jac Caglianone has hit a home run in each of the Royals’ last two games against the Pirates.
• Randy Dobnak has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four road appearances.
• Maikel Garcia has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 3rd in the league in Steals (42) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1331).
• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (146).
• The Royals rank 1st in the league for doubles this season (273).
• The Royals rank 28th in the league for strikeouts this season (1107).

Pirates vs Royals Prediction

I’ve faded the Royals all season, and I understand the Pirates are going to be favored with Skenes on the mound. However, we’re getting big plus money with Dobnak on the mound, who has a 2.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 69.1 innings. Also, this has been a downish season for Skenes, judging by his standards, as he has had more games than usual where he gets hit hard. This is a rare spot where I’ll take a chance on the Royals based on the price and the pitcher we’re getting.