Let's try this again as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers kick off a doubleheader following last night's rain.
Sometimes, you can't overthink things or try to outsmart yourself. As such, our Pirates vs. Tigers predictions for Game 1 aren't worried about Tarik Skubal racking up the strikeouts.
Check out my MLB picks for this interleague matchup, with first pitch at Comerica Park in Detroit set for 1:10 pm ET on Thursday, May 19.
Pirates vs Tigers prediction
My Pirates vs Tigers best bet: Tarik Skubal Over 8.5 strikeouts (+100 at BetMGM)
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal looks like he’s cruising to a second straight Cy Young award. Here are some of the categories he leads the AL in: FIP, WHIP, strikeouts per nine innings, and pitching WAR.
Among all MLB pitchers, he ranks in the 92nd percentile or better in expected ERA, average exit velocity, chase rate, whiff rate, strikeout rate, and walk rate. Simply put, he's one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he should carve up the poor Pittsburgh Pirates today.
The Pirates have arguably the worst offense in baseball. They've scored just 235 runs this season. That's the worst mark in baseball, and for context, it’s 20 runs less than the 16-win Rockies.
The Buccos have been particularly bad against left-handed pitchers. They rank dead last in batting average and OPS and next-to-last in wRC+ while having the third-highest strikeout rate vs. southpaws this season.
That means a guy who's already averaging more than 6 1/3 innings per start should be able to pitch deep into this ball game, giving him ample opportunities to rack up the punchouts.
Now, Skubal’s strikeout prop is a little elevated at 8.5, but at even money, in a great matchup, I’m willing to back him to go Over it, something he’s done in five of his last 11 starts.
Pirates vs Tigers same-game parlay (SGP)
Tarik Skubal Over 8.5 strikeouts
Oneil Cruz Under 0.5 hits
Ke'Bryan Hayes Under 0.5 hits
Let’s double and triple down on the idea that it’s going to be a tough night at the dish for the Pirates and take a couple of their batters to go hitless.
Oneil Cruz’s struggles against southpaws are well-documented. He's hitting just .125 with a strikeout rate of nearly 38% vs. left-handed pitchers this season.
Meanwhile, Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting just .200 and has the lowest OPS (.430) of any Pirates everyday player when batting against lefties. Under 0.5 hits for both of these Buccos.
Pirates vs Tigers odds
Pirates vs Tigers live odds
Pirates vs Tigers opening odds
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh +235 | Detroit -290
- Run line: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-125) | Detroit -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under: Over 7 | Under 7
Pirates vs Tigers trend
The Pirates have been held Under their team total in 41 of their last 65 games for +15.00 units and a 20% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Tigers.
How to watch Pirates vs Tigers and game info
| Location | Comerica Park, Detroit, MI |
| Date | Wednesday, 6-18-2025 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNP, FDSNDT |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.33 ERA) |
| Tigers starting pitcher | Tarik Skubal (7-2, 1.99 ERA) |
Pirates vs Tigers latest injuries
Pirates vs Tigers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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