Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/15/2024 1:35 PM EST

We have your Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Kansas City Royals hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Kansas City Royals -104 (FanDuel) / Pittsburgh Pirates -107 (BetRivers)
Best Spread Odds: 1.5 - Kansas City Royals +160 (ESPN BET) / Pittsburgh Pirates -190 (ESPN BET)
Best Total Odds: 8.0 - Under -110 (DraftKings) / Over +100 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: 9/15/2024
Time: 1:35 PM EST
Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
TV: MLB.TV

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

On the road, the Kansas City Royals have 37 wins and 37 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Kansas City Royals have 46 wins and 19 losses this season.
This season, the Kansas City Royals have hit 65 overs, 81 unders and pushed 3 times.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

At home, the Pittsburgh Pirates have 37 wins and 40 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Pittsburgh Pirates have 39 wins and 57 losses this season.
This season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have hit 74 overs, 72 unders and pushed 2 times.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past two seasons, the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates have faced each other five times. In these matchups, the visiting team has consistently emerged victorious, winning all five games. The Pirates have secured three wins, while the Royals have claimed two victories. In terms of betting outcomes, the Pirates have covered the spread in three of these games, whereas the Royals have done so twice. The games have predominantly leaned towards the under, with four of the five contests finishing below the projected total score, and only one game exceeding the over-under line.

The most recent encounter between these teams took place on September 14, 2024, with the Kansas City Royals defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1. The Royals, as the visiting team, were slight favorites with a moneyline of -110. Kansas City took an early lead with a home run by Bobby Witt Jr. in the first inning. They extended their advantage in the fifth inning with a double by Maikel Garcia and a sacrifice fly by Witt Jr., making it 3-0. The Pirates managed to score in the bottom of the fifth, but the Royals added two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Royals' pitching staff was dominant, striking out 13 batters and allowing only one earned run, while the Pirates left 26 runners on base despite recording nine hits.

In the previous games, the Royals and Pirates have shown varying performances. The Royals' victories were marked by strong offensive displays, including an 8-3 win on September 13, 2024, where they hit three home runs. Conversely, the Pirates' wins were characterized by solid pitching, such as their 5-0 shutout on August 28, 2023, where Johan Oviedo pitched a complete game shutout. The Pirates have generally been more successful in low-scoring games, while the Royals have thrived when their offense has been able to produce multiple runs. As these teams prepare to face each other again, the trend of visiting team dominance and the potential for low-scoring outcomes will be key factors to watch.

Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Kansas City Royals are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of their three-game series at PNC Park. The Royals, currently holding an 82-67 record, are in the midst of a strong push for the postseason, having secured their first winning season since their 2015 World Series triumph. They are riding a wave of momentum, winning seven of their last nine games, and are looking to sweep the Pirates after a convincing 5-1 victory in their previous matchup.

Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout performer for the Royals, recently reaching the milestone of 100 RBIs for the season. His offensive prowess was on full display in the last game, where he contributed significantly with a solo homer, a sacrifice fly, and a run-scoring double. Witt's impressive form has been a catalyst for the Royals' success, as he leads the team with 85 extra-base hits, including 31 home runs.

On the mound, the Royals will rely on Brady Singer, who has a 9-10 record with a 3.42 ERA. Despite a challenging stretch in his last seven starts, Singer will aim to capitalize on the Pirates' recent struggles. The Pirates, with a 70-78 record, have been inconsistent, particularly at home, where they have a 37-40 record. Their recent form has seen them win only 14 of their last 38 games since early August.

The Pirates will counter with rookie Jared Jones, who holds a 6-7 record and a 3.82 ERA. Jones will need to navigate a Royals lineup that has been potent, especially when scoring five or more runs, a scenario in which they have excelled this season. The Pirates' defense will also need to tighten up, having committed three errors in the previous game, which contributed to their downfall.

As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the Royals will be keen to maintain their offensive rhythm and continue their postseason push, while the Pirates will look to salvage a win and end the series on a high note. With both teams having shown the ability to score runs, this matchup promises to be an exciting contest with potential for a high-scoring affair.

Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Pick: Total Runs Over

As the Kansas City Royals prepare to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of their series, the potential for a high-scoring affair is evident. The Royals have been on an offensive tear, winning seven of their last nine games, and their lineup has been particularly potent when scoring five or more runs, a scenario in which they have excelled this season with a 52-19 record. Bobby Witt Jr. has been a key contributor, recently reaching 100 RBIs for the season and showcasing his power with 31 home runs. His ability to drive in runs, combined with the Royals' overall offensive momentum, suggests they are well-equipped to put up significant numbers against the Pirates.

On the other side, the Pirates have struggled defensively, as evidenced by their three errors in the previous game, which contributed to their 5-1 loss. Rookie pitcher Jared Jones will face the challenging task of containing a Royals lineup that has been firing on all cylinders. While Jones has shown promise with a 3.82 ERA, the Pirates' inconsistency at home, where they hold a 37-40 record, further complicates their chances of stifling the Royals' offense.

Historically, the matchups between these two teams have leaned towards lower-scoring games, but the current form and trends suggest a shift. The Royals' recent performances, including an 8-3 victory earlier in the series, highlight their capability to score in bunches. Additionally, the Pirates have hit 74 overs this season, indicating a tendency for their games to exceed projected totals. With both teams having shown the ability to score runs, and considering the Royals' offensive prowess and the Pirates' defensive vulnerabilities, the conditions are ripe for a game that surpasses the total runs line. Therefore, the pick for this matchup is the total runs over.

Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Top Player Prop Picks

Bobby Witt Jr. Over 0.5 Runs Scored +100 (BetMGM)

Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout performer for the Kansas City Royals, recently reaching the milestone of 100 RBIs for the season. His offensive prowess was on full display in the last game against the Pirates, where he contributed significantly with a solo homer, a sacrifice fly, and a run-scoring double. Witt's impressive form has been a catalyst for the Royals' success, as he leads the team with 85 extra-base hits, including 31 home runs. Given his current form and the Royals' offensive momentum, Witt is well-positioned to score at least one run in the upcoming game. The Royals have excelled when scoring five or more runs, a scenario in which they have a 52-19 record this season, further supporting the likelihood of Witt crossing the plate.

Brady Singer Under 5.5 Strikeouts -115 (FanDuel)

Brady Singer, the Royals' starting pitcher, has a 9-10 record with a 3.42 ERA. Despite his overall solid performance this season, Singer has faced challenges in his last seven starts, where he has a 1-4 record with a 5.17 ERA. The Pirates, although inconsistent, have shown the ability to work counts and make pitchers labor, as evidenced by their performance against Michael Wacha in the previous game. Given Singer's recent struggles and the Pirates' potential to extend at-bats, it is reasonable to expect that Singer may not reach the 5.5 strikeout mark in this matchup.

Andrew McCutchen Over 0.5 Singles +105 (BetMGM)

Andrew McCutchen has been a reliable contributor for the Pittsburgh Pirates, with 17 doubles, a triple, and 20 home runs this season. In the last 10 games, McCutchen has been in good form, going 11-for-32 with a double and two home runs. His ability to consistently get on base makes the over on 0.5 singles an attractive proposition. With the Pirates looking to bounce back from their recent struggles and McCutchen's knack for finding gaps in the defense, he is well-positioned to record at least one single in the upcoming game against the Royals.