Pirates vs Tigers Prediction 8/18/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Tigers prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 18th 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 61-66 this year after they lost game one by a score of 5-8 on Monday night. Pittsburgh cut the deficit from 8-1 to 8-5 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Pirates recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Yorke, who went 2-4 with three RBIs. Mlodzinski allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 3.0 innings for the loss, while Ramirez allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Red Sox, but lost two out of three against the Marlins before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.33 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 638 runs with a .256 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 26 home runs and 79 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 12-5 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 141.1 innings pitched this year. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers are 61-64 this season after they won game one by a score of 8-5 last night. Detroit scored the first five runs in the game and they were able to get the win, but the bullpen was shaky. The Tigers recorded 14 hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by McGonigle, who went 2-6 with one home run and two RBIs. Valdez allowed five hits and four earned runs over 5.2 innings for the win, while Jansen picked up the save. Prior to this series, Detroit lost all three against the White Sox, but did win two out of three against the Guardians before that. 

This season, Detroit has a 3.56 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 573 runs with a .243 batting average and a .320 on base percentage. Dillon Dingler has led the Tigers with 26 home runs and 82 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added 16 home runs and 54 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Keider Montero, who is 9-7 with a 3.22 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP over 128.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last six home games against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Tigers have lost 10 of their last 11 night games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Tuesday road games against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 home games against American League opponents following a loss.
• The Tigers have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven night games against the Tigers.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The underdogs have won five of the Tigers’ last six games.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last five games as home favorites.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the Tigers’ last four games.
• The Pirates have lost the first inning in four of their last five games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six night games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last six games as favorites against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Tigers’ last eight games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Tigers’ last six games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in four of the Pirates’ last five games as home favorites.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Nick Gonzales has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as favorites against the Tigers.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four home appearances against AL opponents.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine home games against AL opponents.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a win in six of his last seven appearances with the Pirates as favorites.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Dillon Dingler has hit at least one home run in five of the Tigers’ last six games as road underdogs.
• Keider Montero has recorded four or more strikeouts in five of his six previous appearances with the Tigers as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Dillon Dingler has recorded at least one hit in each of the Tigers’ last 10 games as underdogs against NL opponents.
• Keider Montero has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances with the Tigers as underdogs.

Pirates vs Tigers Prediction 

Detroit was able to snap their losing streak with a win on Monday in game one, as they continue to battle in the AL wild card race. The Tigers are 29-33 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 32-32 at home. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games and they have scored 5+ runs in four of those five. The Pirates are starting Ashcraft, who has allowed 1, 3, 1, 4, and 7 earned runs in his last five starts, while Montero has allowed 0, 5, 0, 4, and 1 earned run in his last five outings. Both pitchers are inconsistent and the bullpens are shaky, so I will go back to the over here.