Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers Prediction 9/26/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Tigers Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, September 26th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Detroit Tigers Preview

The Detroit Tigers have a 75-85 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the AL Central. They have a 41-38 home record and are coming off an 8-7 home win against the Pirates.

The Detroit Tigers have a .241 batting average this season, .320 OBP and .400 Slugging percentage. Detroit’s pitching staff has a 3.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Riley Greene is the team’s best hitter with a .282 batting average. Dillon Dingler leads the team in RBI with 91, adding a team-high 27 home runs.

Justin Verlander (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Tigers, and he has a 0-1 record, 12.27 ERA and 2.18 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 81-79 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the NL Central. They have a 37-42 away record and are coming off a 7-8 road loss against the Tigers.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a .253 batting average this season, .330 OBP and .404 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .302 batting average. Brandon Lowe leads the team in RBI with 95, adding a team-high 34 home runs.

Kirby Yates (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 2-5 record, 3.32 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Detroit Tigers Betting Trends: September 26, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander      Record this season: 0-1      ERA: 12.27
• Home Record: 0-0
• Last 5 against Pirates: 1-1

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The home team has won seven of the Pirates’ last eight games.
• The Pirates have lost six of their last seven road games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against teams that held a losing record.
• The favorites have covered the run line in five of the Pirates’ last six games at Comerica Park.
• The Tigers have won the first inning in each of their last three day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Tigers have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four road games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kirby Yates      Record this season: 2-5      ERA: 3.32
• Road Record: 1-3
• Last 5 against Tigers: 0-1

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last 11 day games against AL opponents.
• The Tigers have lost eight of their last nine day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL opponents following a road loss.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Tigers have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven road games against AL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the last seven games between the Pirates and Tigers at Comerica Park have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Pirates’ last nine games as underdogs against the Tigers have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in 11 of the Pirates’ last 12 road games against AL Central opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of Justin Verlander’s last four home appearances as a starter.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Spencer Torkelson has hit a home run in six of the Tigers’ last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Riley Greene has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Tigers as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Justin Verlander has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last 10 appearances at Comerica Park.
• Justin Verlander has recorded a win in seven of his last eight appearances at Comerica Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Rafael Flores has hit at least one home run in three of his last four appearances against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
• Nick Gonzales is one of only five players to hit over .300 and have 45+ RBIs this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tigers rank 29th in the league for steals this season (57).
• The Tigers rank 4th in the league for triples this season (34).
• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1388).
• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (152).

Pirates vs Tigers Prediction

The Pirates are 6-2 in their last 8 meetings against the Tigers but have lost three of their last four visits in Detroit.  

In this Pirates vs Tigers Prediction, the Tigers are coming as -115 home favorites. Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Tigers in just his second start this season and will face a Pirates team that will go for a bullpen game. I trust Verlander on the mound more than any bullpen arms the Pirates will throw and the Tigers have been far better against right-handed pitching in their last 5 games, with 5 runs per game compared to the Pirates’ 2.9. Take the Tigers to win this one at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Detroit Tigers ML