In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Tigers prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, June 19th at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB doubleheader. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
The Detroit Tigers are 47-27 this year after they won game one in this series by a score of 7-3. Detroit trailed 3-2 in the third inning, but they scored the last five runs in the game for the win. The Tigers recorded nine hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Perez, who went 2-4 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Detroit started Mize, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Lee, Kahnle, and Hanifee closed out the game. 

Prior to this series, the Tigers lost two out of three against the Reds, but won two out of three against the Orioles before that. Detroit has won three of their last five games and they are currently first in the AL Central standings. The Detroit pitching staff has a 3.34 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 358 runs with a .252 batting average and a .322 on base percentage this season. Spencer Torkelson has led Detroit with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added 15 home runs and 51 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit in game one is Tarik Skubal, who is 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP over 90.1 innings pitched this year. The projected starter for game two is Keider Montero, who is 3-1 with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over 51.0 innings pitched. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 29-45 this season after they dropped game one in this series on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead in the third inning, but didn’t score over the last six innings for the loss. The Pirates recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Canario, who went 1-3 with two RBIs in the loss. Pittsburgh started Falter, who allowed five hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Mlodzinski allowed four earned runs in relief for the loss. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost three out of four against the Cubs, but did win two out of three against the Marlins before that. Pittsburgh has lost four of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.74 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 235 runs with a .224 batting average and a .301 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added eight home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh in game one is Andrew Heaney, who is 3-5 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 78.1 innings pitched this season. The projected starting pitcher for game two is Paul Skenes, who is 4-6 with a 1.78 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP over 96.0 innings pitched. 

Why the Tigers will beat the Pirates
The Pirates have lost each of their last four games against AL Central opponents.
The home team has won five of the Pirates’ last six games.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
The favorites have covered the run line in six of the last seven games between the Pirates and Tigers.
The Tigers have led after 5 innings in each of their last three day games against National League opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts
Each of the Tigers’ last four home games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Six of the Pirates’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last four games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Tigers’ last 11 day games.

Tigers vs Pirates Prediction 
Detroit was able to pull away in game one of this series for an easy win and they will look to make it two in a row here. The Tigers are 25-11 at home this year, while the Pirates are just 10-26 on the road. Pittsburgh has scored three runs or fewer in five straight games and they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the MLB so far this year. In game one, I have to back Skubal and the Tigers on the run line, especially against this Pittsburgh offense. In game two, I am tempted to take the Pirates with Skenes, but I think we are getting a decent price with the much better team at home. 

David Racey's Pick: Game 1: Tigers -1.5 Game 2: Tigers ML