Guardians vs Pirates Prediction 4/19/25 MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Guardians vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, April 19th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians are 10-9 this year after they won game one in this series by a score of 10-7. Cleveland trailed 1-0 in the first inning and they were tied at two in the third, but they scored the next eight runs to pull away for the win. The Guardians recorded 14 hits in the game and they were led by Naylor, who went 3-5 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Cleveland started Ortiz, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings in the win, while Herrin, Junis, and Sewald combined to allow five earned runs and six hits in just 2.2 innings of relief. 

Prior to this series, the Guardians lost two out of three against the Orioles, but did win two out of three against the Royals before that. The Cleveland pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and a .250 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 78 runs with a .237 batting average and a .311 on base percentage this season. Steven Kwan has led Cleveland with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and one steal, while Kyle Manzardo has added four home runs and 12 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cleveland is Ben Lively, who is 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 20.1 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 8-13 this season after they lost game one in this series on Friday night. Pittsburgh trailed 10-2 in the seventh inning, but they did score the next five runs and applied some pressure in the ninth, before falling short in the comeback attempt. The Pirates recorded 11 hits in the game and they committed one error, while they were led by Valdez, who went 2-4 with one home run, three RBIs, and one walk in the loss. Pittsburgh started Mlodzinski, who allowed nine hits and five earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Nicolas allowed three hits and five earned runs over just 0.1 innings out of the bullpen. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates won three out of four against the Nationals, but did lose all three against the Reds before that. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.11 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 74 runs with a .202 batting average and a .288 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with five home runs and 11 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added three home runs and 10 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA and a 0.74 WHIP over 24.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Guardians 

• The Guardians have lost seven of their last eight road games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have won each of their last four home games following a loss.
• The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four home games following a loss.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Guardians’ last five day games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the last four games between the Guardians and Pirates at PNC Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the last eight day games between the Guardians and Pirates.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Guardians’ last six games as underdogs.

Guardians vs Pirates Prediction 

Cleveland was able to jump out to a big lead in game one of this series to get the win, but they will need to find some more offense against one of the better pitchers in the NL here. The Pirates will have Skenes on the mound, who has been fantastic in three of his four starts this year. The Pirates have had some trouble at the plate this year, but they have scored at least six runs in three of their last five games. Pittsburgh will face Lively, who has allowed four earned runs and seven hits in two of his last three starts. Take the Pirates -1.5 here. 

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1.5