Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Guardians 8/30/24 – Fans are gearing up for an exciting showdown at Progressive Field as the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-71) face off against the Cleveland Guardians (76-58) this Friday night. With both teams showing varied success this season, this matchup promises to provide some intriguing moments for baseball enthusiasts. For free MLB game advice, this game offers a close look at how mid-tier and top-tier teams measure their strengths as the season advances.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Guardians 8/30/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Friday, August 30, 2024, at 7:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Progressive Field |
| TV: | MLBN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Pittsburgh Pirates (62-71) vs. Cleveland Guardians (76-58)
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this contest with a season record that isn’t overly encouraging to say the least, batting at a poor average of .236 and plasma scoring 560. In any case, they have recorded 132 home runs and a .303 on-base percentage. Mound-wise, the performance has been average, with 4.11 team ERA and 1.3 WHIP. As tempting as it is to assume their American League Central Division ranking follows, the figures of the Pirates overall might not impress in as much that they near this game. Still, their composure in recent matches tells of bright prospects ahead. With the Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers game today, comparing these teams gives us insight into how the Pirates might adjust their strategy to secure a win against a stronger opponent.
On the other hand, the Cleveland Guardians have had a better season than that with a .237 batting average and scoring 608 runs. The reliability of their pitching staff has been higher, posting an ERA of 3.84 and a WHIP of 1.23, bearing down on the batters they face. The Guardians have smacked 152 home runs, which suggests a more fierce offense than the Pirates. As they prepare for the game, insights into their strategy could be gleaned from the performance of teams in similar standings, such as the Royals vs. Astros, highlighting their potential to capitalize on weaker pitching.
Bailey Falter (6-7, 4.25 ERA) vs. Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA)
Bailey Falter has recently been the starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in this game; his record is hardly a warm one. In total, this right-hander has 112.1 innings pitched with a 4.25 ERA and a WHIP of 1.26; these numbers include the bad and the good. On the one hand, he has a better ratio this season hitting 79 k’s compared to surrendering 33 walks, on the other, he has a risk of giving up runs. Because of the way he is performing tonight, the Pirates’ hopes stand a chance, suggesting a game or two of why allowing home runs and stress situations should be limited.
On the other hand, the Cleveland’s Ben Lively has had a higher impact on effectiveness this season going by wins and losses at 11-8 with a 3.62 ERA. He has command 1.19 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 126.2 innings. His stamina could be tested as Lively will know that the Pirates’ backend will be looking to play spoilers, with Lively trying to quickly work his way through their batting order with the aid mid-game strategy being the target.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland Guardians -1.5 +131, Total Odds: 8.5
The current betting odds favor the Cleveland Guardians, highlighting their stronger season performance and home-field advantage. The spread indicates a belief in their ability to outscore the Pirates by at least two runs, with the total over 8.5 reflecting expectations for a relatively high-scoring game.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
Pittsburgh’s recent form shows a troubling trend, losing 4 of their last 5 games and struggling significantly on the road with a 1-9 record in their last 10 away games. These stats might concern bettors, considering their underdog status and past difficulties at Progressive Field, where they are 6-12 in their last 18 encounters.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends
The Guardians, meanwhile, have shown better consistency at home against the Pirates and in general. Despite a mixed recent record of 4-9 in their last 13 games, their historical performance at Progressive Field against Pittsburgh provides a positive outlook. Their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially highlighted by the trend of the total going OVER in 6 of their last 7 games against the Pirates, suggests a potential edge in this matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Guardians 8/30/24 Betting Picks
With the trends and evidence gathered, the analysis shows that the Guardians will win this match and it is likely due to their better pitching and batting. Going back to the teams performance, the Pirates are the dark horses, though they have had some flashes that can take out the more favorite Guardians considering any mistakes from Lively.
This one cuts deeper into the side of leaning towards the odds on home team Cleveland covering the spread. Total points score bets could be a no no because of how unpredictable these two teams could be, but the OVER seems like a good bet given that both batsmen will turn up. For people looking for premium sport picks, in addition to this, they may want to try some prop betting focusing on individual players achievements like strikeouts or home runs.