Yankees vs Pirates Prediction 7/20/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Yankees vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, July 20th at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

New York Yankees Betting Preview

The New York Yankees are 55-44 this year after they lost two out of three against the Dodgers by scores of 1-2, 2-8, and 2-1. In game three, New York blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning, but scored in the bottom of the eighth to get the win. The Yankees recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Bellinger, who went 2-3 with one RBI. Yarbrough allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 2.2 innings, while Bednar picked up the win in relief. Prior to that series, New York swept the Nationals in three games and split four games with the Rays. 

This season, New York has a 3.40 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .227 opponent batting average, while they have scored 467 runs with a .236 batting average and a .316 on base percentage. Ben Rice has led the Yankees with 29 home runs and 68 RBIs, while Cody Bellinger has added 11 home runs and 52 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for New York is Ryan Weathers, who is 3-7 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 97.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 52-48 this season after they won two out of three against the Guardians by scores of 7-1, 3-5, and 7-1. In game three, Pittsburgh was tied at one in the third inning, but they scored the last six runs to get the win. The Pirates recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Cook, who went 3-4 with two RBIs. Skenes allowed seven hits and one earned run over 7.0 innings for the win, while Mattson threw a scoreless inning in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh swept the Brewers in three games, but lost two out of three against the Braves before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.26 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 533 runs with a .263 batting average and a .341 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 16 home runs and 64 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 9-3 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 113.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the New York Yankees will win

• The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine night games against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Yankees have won each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five night games against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
• The Yankees have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Yankees have won the first inning in three of their last four night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven road night games.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Yankees have lost each of their last six games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have won three of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Yankees have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven home games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against American League opponents.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in four of their last five games against AL East opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in four of their last five road games.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the last five games between the Pirates and Yankees have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Six of the Pirates’ last seven road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Pirates’ last eight games as road underdogs.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of Ryan Weathers’ last eight appearances as a starter.

New York Yankees Player Prop Facts

• Ben Rice has hit a home run in six of his last eight appearances with the Yankees as home favorites against NL opponents.
• Ben Rice has recorded at least one hit in each of the Yankees’ last 13 games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Ben Rice ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Slugging Percentage (.596) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in four of the Pirates’ last five games as underdogs.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
• Nick Gonzales has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine road games.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a win in five of his last six road appearances.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.311) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Yankees rank T1st in the league for home runs this season (144).
• The Yankees rank T1st in the league for home runs this season (144).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (914).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (914).

Yankees vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they have scored 7+ runs in three of their last four. The Pirates are 25-24 on the road this year, while the Yankees are 24-22 at home. New York has won three of their last five games, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three straight. The Yankees are starting Weathers, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, while Ashcraft has allowed 5, 1, 5, 1, and 1 earned run in his last five starts. Take the Yankees here.