The Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Sunday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Kansas City Royals will send out Michael Wacha for the start here and Wacha is 9-9 with a 3.34 ERA and 149 strikeouts this season. The Pittsburgh Pirates did not have a starting pitcher announced at the time that this article was posted.
Kansas City Royals Recap
The Kansas City Royals come into this game looking to rebound from a 6-5 loss at the hands of the Pirates on Saturday to sit at 67-88 this season. After this series, the Royals will head home for a set against the Chicago White Sox.
Royals Drop 6 Of Last 7
Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 145 hits while adding 30 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs, and 54 RBIs so far this season. Jac Caglianone has added 134 hits with 27 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs, and 70 RBIs, while Carter Jensen leads Kansas City with a team-high 24 home runs and 75 RBIs alongside 117 hits, 33 doubles, and 2 triples on the year. Salvador Perez has also contributed 125 hits with 23 doubles, a triple, 19 home runs, and 72 RBIs. Vinnie Pasquantino has chipped in 94 hits with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 13 home runs, and 51 RBIs, while Maikel Garcia has logged 77 hits with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, and 34 RBIs for the Royals up to this point in the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to add on to their win over KC on Saturday to improve to 78-77 on the year. After this series, Pittsburgh will take on St. Louis in a series at home.
Pirates Win 3rd Straight
Nick Gonzales leads the Pirates with a team-high 161 hits while adding 26 doubles, a triple, 6 home runs, and 60 RBIs so far this season. Bryan Reynolds has added 151 hits with 39 doubles, 2 triples, 17 home runs, and 71 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe leads Pittsburgh with a team-high 32 home runs and 91 RBIs alongside 145 hits, 29 doubles, and a triple on the year. Jake Mangum has contributed 116 hits with 19 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, and 30 RBIs. Ryan O’Hearn has logged 101 hits with 15 doubles, 18 home runs, and 73 RBIs, while Oneil Cruz has chipped in 97 hits with 13 doubles, a triple, 19 home runs, and 66 RBIs up to this point in the season.
Kansas City Royals @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: September 20, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Lake Bachar Record this season: 1-4 ERA: 3.50
- Home Record: 0-2
- Last 5 against Royals: 1-0
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last 10 road games against NL opponents.
- The Pirates have won each of their last 10 day games against AL opponents.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NL opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in nine of their last 10 day games against AL opponents.
- The Royals have lost the first inning in five of their last six day games against NL Central opponents.
- The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against NL Central opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Michael Wacha Record this season: 9-9 ERA: 3.34
- Road Record: 3-6
- Last 5 against Pirates: 3-0
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The favorites have won each of the last seven games between the Royals and Pirates.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six day games following a win.
- The Royals have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 road games against the Pirates.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as road favorites.
- The Royals have won the first inning in three of their last four road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games against the Pirates.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Royals’ last eight games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Pirates’ last four games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last nine day games against NL Central opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Pirates’ last eight home games.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in four of the Pirates’ last five games.
- Lake Bachar has recorded three or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with his team as a home underdog against AL opponents.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Jac Caglianone has hit a home run in each of the Royals’ last two games as favorites against the Pirates.
- Michael Wacha has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Vinnie Pasquantino has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
- Michael Wacha has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against the Pirates.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank T1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (149).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1355).
- The Royals rank T2nd in the league for doubles this season (275).
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for strikeouts this season (1121).
Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m on Kansas City here. The Royals have done nothing but fall flat in this series but I think this is a good spot for them to get back on track here. Wacha’s been one of the most underappreciated options in the Royals’ rotation this season and I look for the Royals to back him up here in what looks to be a bullpen game for the Pirates here. Give me Kansas City.