Seattle Mariners vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/18/24 – This Sunday, August 18, 2024 will bring an interesting MLB matchup at PNC Park as the Seattle Mariners (63-61) prepare to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (58-64). This game is important for both teams because they need to improve their standings, as the Mariners are just above .500 and the Pirates have lost many games recently. This contest promises a vibrant palette of options for MLB matchup picks where teams can display a good deal of persistence and strategic sagacity.
Seattle Mariners vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/18/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 1:35 PM ET |
| Where: | PNC Park |
| TV: | TBD |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Seattle Mariners (63-61) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (58-64)
Struggling Seattle Mariners have a nearly even win-loss record. They should build on 139 homers this year despite having had trouble in hitting with runners in scoring position, only batting .215 and slugging percentage being .366. Their pitching staff has managed to keep a 3.46 ERA and that is why they have been able to stay competitive in games. This analysis lends insight akin to the Guardians vs Brewers duel, where pitching could play a decisive role.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates who have played slightly lesser games have shown more improvements at the plate with a .235 batting average and .371 slugging percentage as compared to Seattle. More hits and runs are registered by them than Mariners do hence implying better dynamism of their offense. Their pitching hasn’t been as effective, with a team ERA of 3.96, reflecting some struggles on the mound, similar to challenges observed in the Dodgers and Cardinals game today.
George Kirby (8-9, 3.42 ERA) vs. Jake Woodford (0-4, 5.87 ERA)
George Kirby, the starting pitcher for Mariners in the game, boasts a decent ERA of 3.42 as well as a WHIP of 1.09 over his last 144.2 innings pitched. If he can keep issuing a few walks (17) with high strikeouts (143), Kirby would be a major threat to any Pirates’ lineup. Though consistent this season, his team has not been able to produce runs to give him enough back up on the mound.
Conversely, Jake Woodford of Pirates is yet to record his first win for the season although having an alarming 5.87 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 23 innings played so far . He may not perform well against Mariners power hitters due to the limited number of innings pitched by him. His higher ERA and WHIP are potential weak points that Seattle might use especially if their homerun skills were utilized properly.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Seattle Mariners -1.5 +111, Total Odds: 8
The betting odds tilt slightly in favor of the Mariners, given their superior pitching stats and the struggles Woodford has faced. The point spread at -1.5 +111 for Seattle suggests a belief among bookmakers that the Mariners can cover the spread, primarily if Kirby performs to his season standards.
Seattle Mariners Betting Trends
Contrary to their struggles, Seattle’s last 6 games have experienced the total going OVER for four times now evidencing that their games are high scoring as a result of their combination of good home run hitting but weak overall batting average. The Mariners’ recent record of 0-5 SU in their last 5 games shows a disturbing trend especially 0-6 SU in their previous six games on the road.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
From the past ten games, Pirates records indicate that the total has gone OVER in seven cases which can be explained by its slightly better offensive output than that of the Seattle Mariners club. However, this team’s win-loss record is very poor since they are only 2-10 SU in their last twelve games and even though they score a lot of runs, they cannot seem to close out the opposition.
Seattle Mariners vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/18/24 Betting Picks
There is a likelihood that the Mariners will snatch victory here, given the pitching matchup and recent trends. Mariners might therefore win this match with Kirby keeping his form and Mariners’ batters exploiting Woodford’s weaknesses. However, Pirates could make it competitive especially if their batting stats are better, but its pitching may fail them.
Betting wise, it would be wise to lean towards the Mariners to cover the spread. As regards prop bets on total runs, these can become risky due to inconsistent performances by both teams; nevertheless, of late, OVER has been trending in their games for a bettor who will feel tempted. A strategic bet on Seattle and an over on total runs might thus provide value for those seeking premium game predictions.