The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers meet Thursday in MLB action from Comerica Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tigers vs Pirates Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Andrew Heaney for the start in game one, and Heaney is 3-5 with a 3.33 ERA and 59 strikeouts this season. Paul Skenes will start game two and is 4-6 with a 1.78 ERA and 97 strikeouts this season. The Detroit Tigers will send out Tarik Skubal in game one, and Skubal is 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA and 111 strikeouts this season. The Tigers did not have a starting pitcher announced for game two.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to bounce back from their 7-3 loss at the hands of the Tigers in Tuesday’s series opener to sit at 29-45 on the year. After this series, the Pirates will head home for a series against the Texas Rangers.
Pirates Lose Three In A Row
Bryan Reynolds has 61 hits with 10 doubles, 8 home runs, and 39 RBIs while also leading the Pirates with 80 strikeouts so far this season. Oneil Cruz has posted a team-high 13 home runs and 30 RBIs with 25 stolen bases, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 57 hits with 10 doubles and 9 stolen bases. Emmanuel Valdez also has a pair of triples this season. Tommy Pham has 4 doubles and Andrew McCutchen has 57 hits with 11 doubles, and KeBryan Hayes has 57 hits with 19 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last six day games against the Tigers at Comerica Park following a road loss.
- The Tigers have lost four of their last five games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six day games at Comerica Park following a road loss.
- The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five day games following a win.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three road games against AL opponents.
- Andrew Heaney has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against AL Central opponents.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances against the Tigers.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven appearances in day games.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded a Double in six of his last seven road appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Oneil Cruz ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (25) this season.
Detroit Tigers Recap
The Detroit Tigers come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Pirates from Tuesday’s matchup to sit at 47-27 on the year. After this series, the Tigers will trek out on the road for a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tigers Get Bounce Back W
Spencer Torkelson has 57 hits along with a .233 batting average, including a team-high 16 home runs, 15 doubles, and 47 RBIs. Kerry Carpenter also has 13 home runs and 27 RBIs, while Riley Greene has 75 hits with 17 doubles, 14 home runs, and 49 RBIs, but also has a team-high 93 strikeouts this season. Dillon Dingler has 7 home runs and 29 RBIs, and Zack McKinstry’s added 10 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, and 19 RBIs of his own along with 59 hits as well this season. Javier Baez has added 58 hits and 12 doubles as well as 7 home runs and 32 RBIs this season.
Why the Detroit Tigers will win
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight games against AL Central opponents.
- The Tigers have won each of their last four games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against AL Central opponents.
- The Tigers have covered the run line each of their last four games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts
- Tarik Skubal has recorded 11+ strikeouts in four of his last five home appearances.
- Wenceel Perez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Matt Vierling has hit a home run in each of his last three home appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Jake Rogers has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last five home appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Spencer Torkelson has recorded a Double in each of the Tigers’ last four games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Riley Greene has scored at least one run in each of the Tigers’ last seven home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Tarik Skubal has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Tarik Skubal ranks 4th in the league for total Strikeouts (111) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Tigers’ last four games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Pirates’ last four games as underdogs against the Tigers have gone OVER the total runs line.
Tigers vs Pirates Prediction
I’m on the Tigers in both legs of the doubleheader. Tigers -1.5 in game one because it’s the only way to get any sort of value in game one. I just think that Skubal shuts down a Pirates’ lineup against a Pirates’ lineup that’s not done well against lefties this season, and I think he dominates here. On the other side, the Tigers should be able to get to Heaney. In game two, I expect Skenes to pitch well, but he’s pitched well for a lot of the season, yet it hasn’t meant much. A lot of times, the Pirates don’t give their ace enough run support to help him get wins. I think Detroit will get to the Pirates’ bullpen to be able to get the win when all is said and done. Give me the Tigers for the doubleheader sweep.