Tigers vs Pirates Prediction 8/17/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Tigers vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, August 17th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Detroit Tigers Betting Preview

The Detroit Tigers are 60-64 this season after they lost all three against the White Sox by scores of 5-9, 3-4, and 5-7. In game three, Detroit led 4-1 in the third inning, but they scored one run over the last six innings for the loss. The Tigers recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Callahan, who went 1-2 with two RBIs. Anderson allowed four hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Holton allowed three earned runs for the loss. Prior to that series, Detroit won two out of three against the Guardians and two out of three against the Giants. 

This season, Detroit has a 3.55 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 565 runs with a .242 batting average and a .319 on base percentage. Dillon Dingler has led the Tigers with 26 home runs and 82 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added 16 home runs and 54 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Framber Valdez, who is 7-8 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over 133.0 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 61-65 this year after they won two out of three against the Red Sox by scores of 8-4, 0-4, and 8-3. In game three, Pittsburgh scored seven runs in the first three innings and cruised to the easy win. The Pirates recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Yorke, who went 2-4 with three RBIs. Bachar allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 3.0 innings, while Yates picked up the win in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Marlins and two out of three against the Mets. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.31 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 633 runs with a .257 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 26 home runs and 79 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Carmen Mlodzinski, who is 6-5 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP over 99.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last seven home games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have lost each of their last four games as favorites after playing the previous day.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Tigers’ last five games.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites.
• The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Tigers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games at PNC Park.

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The Tigers have won nine of their last 10 road games following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost five of their last six games following a win.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 night games at PNC Park following a home win.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in each of their last five road games following a loss.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games against opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Tigers’ last seven games as favorites against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Pirates’ last six games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Tigers’ last five road games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last four games against AL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last eight home games against AL opponents.
• Carmen Mlodzinski has recorded three or more strikeouts in five of his last six home appearances against AL opponents.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.307) this season.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Spencer Torkelson has hit a home run in each of the Tigers’ last three games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Framber Valdez has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
• Dillon Dingler has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 Monday night appearances against teams that held a losing record.
• Framber Valdez has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against the Pirates.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for runs scored this season (633).
• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for RBIs this season (604).
• The Tigers rank 4th in the league for ERA this season (3.55).
• The Tigers rank 5th in the league for home runs allowed this season (123).

Tigers vs Pirates Prediction 

Detroit comes into this matchup after getting swept by the White Sox at home and they allowed 20 runs in those three games. The Tigers are 28-33 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 32-31 at home. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four games and they have scored 8+ runs in all three of those wins. The Pirates are starting Mlodzinski, who has allowed nine earned runs in his last 5.1 innings, while Valdez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, but did allow four earned runs last time out. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 8