Pittsburgh Pirates vs Seattle Mariners Picks and Predictions August 18th 2024

At 1:35 PM ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, we have an interleague matchup between the Mariners and Pirates. The money line odds have the Mariners as the favorite, with their line sitting at -158 compared to the Pirates at +134. Sunday’s forecast in Pittsburgh calls for light rain and temperatures in the mid-70s.

Seattle comes in with a record of 63-61 and they are currently on a five-game losing streak. The Pirates are 58-64 and will be looking to complete a three-game sweep after winning the first two games of this series on the road in Seattle. Jake Woodford is starting for the Pirates, while the Mariners are going with George Kirby.

Right-hander George Kirby is on the mound for the Mariners today as he gets set to face the Pirates on the road. He has made 25 starts this season and has a record of 8-9 with a 3.42 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, Kirby has a WHIP of 1.08 and has issued just 1.06 walks per nine innings. Kirby’s last outing came against the Tigers, where he took the loss, giving up six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work. Before that, he had given up a total of three earned runs in three straight starts. One positive note is that he has made 15 quality starts this season.

Julio Rodriguez has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 6/15 in his last four games. For the season, he is batting .265 and is 5th on the team with 11 homers. Catcher Cal Raleigh has a team-high 26 homers and is batting just .211 this season. He is also 14th in the MLB in RBIs, with 76. Over his last five games, Luke Raley has gone 3/11 with a home run.

As a team, the Mariners are batting just .215, which is the worst mark in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in runs per game, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Overall, they are averaging just 3.9 runs per game.

Jake Woodford is hoping to turn things around as he gets the start for the Pirates today. So far, he has made four starts and six total appearances. Woodford’s record for the season is 0-4, and he has an ERA of 5.87. Looking back at his last outing, Woodford took the loss, going six innings and giving up one earned run on three hits. Before that, he had given up at least one homer in three straight outings. Woodford’s ERA at home is 10.08 compared to 0.75 on the road.

Over his last five games, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has gone 7/19 for the Pirates, including one home run and three RBIs. Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz are tied for the team lead in home runs, with 19, and Reynolds also leads the Pirates with 69 RBIs. Cruz is 2nd on the team in RBIs, with 61. Reynolds is batting .283 for the season, and Cruz is at .259.

Currently, the Pirates are 21st in scoring, at 4.2 runs per game, and are also near the bottom of the league in home runs. As a team, they are batting just .235, which is 17th in the league. Collectively, the Pirates have been striking out a lot this season, and their team on-base percentage of .302 is 19th in the league.

Mariners Desperate for a Win Against the Pirates

The Seattle Mariners are in a tough spot as they face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of a three-game series on Sunday. After sitting pretty in the standings just a week ago, the Mariners have seen their playoff hopes take a nosedive following a five-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Pirates are riding high, looking to complete the sweep and extend their winning streak.

Mariners’ Freefall: From Contenders to Struggling

Just a week ago, on August 11, the Mariners were tied with the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West and only 2 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. Fast forward to today, and things have taken a turn for the worse. The Mariners are now four games behind the Astros and 5 1/2 games out of the final wild-card berth. This rapid decline has been fueled by a five-game losing streak, putting immense pressure on the team to turn things around.

The Mariners’ offense has been the main culprit, scoring two runs or fewer in four of their last five games. Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Pirates was a prime example, with the team striking out 14 times and failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Julio Rodriguez: A Voice of Resilience

Despite the rough patch, Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez remains optimistic, urging his team to “stay strong and keep pushing forward.” His leadership and belief in the team’s ability to bounce back could be crucial as the Mariners fight to stay in the playoff race.

Pitching Matchup: Kirby Looks to Rebound, Woodford Eyes Sweep

George Kirby (Seattle Mariners)

Right-hander George Kirby (8-9, 3.42 ERA) will take the mound for the Mariners, hoping to rebound from his worst start of the season. Kirby gave up a career-high 11 runs (six earned) in a 15-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. His last outing against the Pirates wasn’t much better, allowing seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings last season. For Seattle to avoid a sweep, Kirby needs to rediscover his form and deliver a strong performance.

Jake Woodford (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Pirates will counter with right-hander Jake Woodford (0-4, 5.87 ERA), who is still searching for his first win of the season. Woodford has had his struggles but has also shown flashes of potential. This will be his first career start against the Mariners, adding a bit of unpredictability to the mix. Woodford will aim to keep Seattle’s struggling offense in check and help Pittsburgh secure its first series sweep since mid-July.

Pirates Riding Momentum

In contrast to the Mariners, the Pirates are on a roll, aiming for their first three-game winning streak since late July. After a 7-2 victory on Saturday, Pittsburgh is playing with confidence and cohesion, as noted by Oneil Cruz, who emphasized the team’s focus and resilience despite recent challenges.

A key contributor to the Pirates’ success has been Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays before the trade deadline, Kiner-Falefa has quickly made his mark, hitting .296 in 13 games with Pittsburgh. His 3-for-4 performance on Saturday, which included a home run, has solidified his role as a catalyst for the Pirates’ offense.

Game Implications: A Must-Win for Seattle

For the Mariners, Sunday’s game is a must-win. Breaking their losing streak is crucial not just for their morale, but also for keeping their playoff hopes alive. A strong outing from George Kirby and a breakout performance from the offense could be the keys to avoiding a sweep and staying in the wild-card race.

On the flip side, the Pirates, who have struggled with consistency this season, are eager to capitalize on their momentum and secure a series sweep. With contributions from players like Kiner-Falefa and the potential for a solid start from Woodford, Pittsburgh is poised to keep Seattle’s woes going.

Mariners Face Critical Test Against Surging Pirates

The Seattle Mariners are at a crossroads as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale. With their playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, the Mariners must find a way to end their five-game skid and avoid being swept. George Kirby’s ability to rebound and the offense’s capacity to wake up will be pivotal. Meanwhile, the Pirates, driven by recent success and strong performances from key players, are ready to continue their surge and complete the sweep. Sunday’s game is set to be a crucial showdown with significant implications for both teams.

There should be no shortage of offense in today’s Mariners and Pirates matchup, and not only are we leaning towards the Pirates picking up the win, but we are also leaning towards taking the over. The Pirates have the best team runs scored projection in the league today, and Jake Woodford has the highest innings pitched projection among today’s starters.