Cleveland Guardians (76-58) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (62-71)
Game Info: Friday, August 30, 2024 at 7:10 pm (Progressive Field)
Ben Lively (11-8) (3.62) vs Bailey Falter (6-7) (4.25)
Betting Odds: Cleveland Guardians -161 / Pittsburgh Pirates +135 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians meet Friday in MLB game 1 action at Progressive Field. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction. This article will include a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Pick.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-71 on the year after playing the Reds and Cubs. The Pittsburgh Pirates have scored 23 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 6 of their last 7 games. The Pittsburgh Pirates have split their last 6 games when scoring 4 or more runs. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 146 hits and 74 RBI, while Oneil Cruz and Andrew McCutchen have combined for 112 hits and 105 RBI.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians are 76-58 on the year after playing the Rangers and Royals. The Cleveland Guardians have scored 12 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 4 of their last 6 games. The Cleveland Guardians have won 4 of their last 5 games when scoring 4 or more runs. Jose Ramirez leads the Cleveland Guardians with 141 hits and 104 RBI, while Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez have combined for 249 hits and 92 RBI.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Pitching Pick Matchup
Bailey Falter gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 6-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 79 strikeouts this season. Falter has allowed 23 hits and 11 runs in his last 16.2 innings. Falter has a 4.42 ERA and .257 allowed batting average in 55 road innings. This will be Falter’s first career game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Ben Lively gets the ball for the Cleveland Guardians, and he is 11-8 with a 3.62 ERA and 102 strikeouts this season. Lively has allowed 23 hits and 13 earned runs in his last 27.1 innings. Lively has a 3.34 ERA and .228 allowed batting average in 62 home innings. Lively is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 8 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Pirates have lost nine of their last 10 road games.
- The Guardians have won seven of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six road games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in four of their last five home games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Jose Ramirez has hit at least one home run in six of the Guardians' last 14 games as favorites.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded a Double in three of the Guardians' last four games at Progressive Field against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Josh Naylor has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Guardians' last seven games against NL Central opponents at Progressive Field.
- Josh Naylor has scored at least one run in 10 of his last 11 home appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Andres Gimenez has recorded at least one Single in each of his last five appearances with the Guardians as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Will Brennan has recorded at least one total base in each of the Guardians' last six home games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Will Brennan has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians' last six games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Jose Ramirez ranks T7th in the league in Steals (32) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Yasmani Grandal has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Jared Triolo has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates' last three road games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Jared Triolo has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Pirates' last six games as road underdogs against AL opponents.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one total base in each of his last nine appearances in night games.
- Ke'Bryan Hayes has scored at least one run in each of his last five appearances with the Pirates as road underdogs against AL opponents.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded a Single in each of his last nine appearances in night games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cleveland Guardians rank 5th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.234).
- The Cleveland Guardians rank T5th in the league for runs allowed this season (540).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank T25th in the league for doubles this season (197).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 25th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.375).
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction
Bailey Falter has been hit or miss this season, and he's having a shaky month of August where he's allowed 11 runs in 16.2 innings. The Cleveland Guardians need to take advantage of home series against non playoff teams if they're going to win the AL Central. Ben Lively has been consistent, and he's been even better at home, with a 3.34 ERA. The Guardians should win this game, and I'll lay the RL to shave down the price.
Randy’s Pick Cleveland Guardians -1.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds