Tigers vs Pirates Prediction 8/19/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Tigers vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, August 19th 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 61-65 this year after they split the first two games by scores of 8-5 and 1-4. In game two, Detroit led 1-0 in the fifth inning, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Tigers recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Callahan, who went 2-3 with one home run and one RBI. Montero allowed four hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Madden allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to this series, Detroit lost all three against the White Sox, but did win two out of three against the Guardians before that. 

This season, Detroit has a 3.56 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 574 runs with a .243 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 Jackson Jobe, who is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 8.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-66 this season after they won game two by a score of 4-1 on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh scored three runs in the fifth inning and one in the eighth to get the win. The Pirates recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Cruz, who went 1-3 with one home run and two RBIs. Ashcraft allowed five hits and one earned run over 8.0 innings for the win, while Montgomery got the save. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Red Sox, but lost two out of three against the Marlins before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while they have scored 642 runs with a .256 batting average and a .332 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 Paul Skenes, who is 9-11 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 134.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won nine of their last 10 day games against American League opponents.
• The Tigers have lost four of their last five games at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents.
• The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Detroit Tigers will win

• The Tigers have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Pirates have lost five of their last seven games as home favorites following a home win.
• The Tigers have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games following a home win.

Total Runs Facts

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

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances at PNC Park against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Paul Skenes has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last 14 appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last eight games as home favorites.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Dillon Dingler has hit at least one home run in five of the Tigers’ last eight games as underdogs.
• Kevin McGonigle has recorded at least one hit in each of the Tigers’ last eight games against NL opponents.
• Jackson Jobe has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against opponents that held a losing record.

Tigers vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh was able to get the win in game two on Tuesday night and they have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. The Pirates are 33-32 at home this year, while the Tigers are 29-34 on the road. Detroit has lost four of their last five games and they have allowed 5+ runs in three of those five. The Tigers are starting Jobe, who has had one great start and one awful start, while Skenes has allowed 1, 3, 5, and 5 earned runs in his last four outings. I am going to back the Pirates with Skenes on the mound, but his drop in velocity is a concern.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates ML