Royals vs Pirates Prediction 9/18/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Royals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, September 18th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals are 67-86 this season after they lost two out of three against the Astros by scores of 2-4, 5-2, and 2-6. In game three, Kansas City led 1-0 in the first inning, but they allowed the next five runs for the loss. The Royals recorded three hits in the game and they were led by Jensen, who went 2-3 with one home run and one RBI. Lugo allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Lange allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Kansas City lost two out of three against the Red Sox and two out of three against the Diamondbacks. 

This season, Kansas City has a 4.63 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while they have scored 643 runs with a .244 batting average and a .314 on base percentage. Jac Caglianone has led the Royals with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs, while Bobby Witt has added 18 home runs and 54 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Randy Dobnak, who is 3-4 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 69.1 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 76-77 this year after they lost two out of three against the Brewers by scores of 1-5, 4-5, and 7-4. In game three, Pittsburgh nearly blew a 5-1 lead, but they added two runs in the eighth to seal the win. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Davis, who went 1-2 with one home run and two RBIs. Dotel opened the game, while Curtis got the win and Montgomery picked up the save. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Cubs, but did sweep the White Sox in three games before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.19 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they have scored 730 runs with a .253 batting average and a .330 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 18 home runs and 72 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 10-11 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 162.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Royals have lost each of their last seven road games against NL opponents following a loss.
• The Pirates have won seven of their last eight games against AL opponents.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four night games against AL Central opponents.
• The Royals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as home favorites.
• The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

• The Royals have won four of their last five games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost four of their last six games as home favorites following a home win.
• The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last nine games at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as favorites following a win.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Royals’ last nine games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Pirates’ last five home games against AL opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last six games at PNC Park.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Paul Skenes has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his nine previous Friday appearances in night games.
• Rafael Flores has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances against AL opponents.
• Henry Davis has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances at PNC Park.
• Nick Gonzales is one of only six players to hit over .300 and have 45+ RBIs this season.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

• Vinnie Pasquantino has hit a home run in each of the Royals’ last two games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Randy Dobnak has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with the Royals as road underdogs.
• Jac Caglianone has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last nine games as road underdogs against NL opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 4th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.330).
• The Pirates rank 27th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1418).
• The Royals rank 28th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.258).
• The Royals rank 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1192).

Royals vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh was able to avoid getting swept with a win on Thursday and they are still hovering around the .500 mark this season. The Pirates are 39-36 at home this year, while the Royals are 28-50 on the road. Kansas City has lost four of their last five games and they have scored two runs or fewer in four of those five. The Royals are starting Dobnak, who has allowed 3+ earned runs in three of his last four starts, while Skenes has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four. Take the Pirates -1 here.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1