Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Prediction for Sunday, July 19, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. ET, with coverage on MLB.TV. Pittsburgh is 50-47 overall and 23-23 away after winning three straight games, including a 14-5 victory over Milwaukee in the most recent listed result. Cleveland is 51-46 overall and 24-22 at home after a 5-2 win over Miami extended the Guardians’ winning streak to four games. Build a bigger bankroll with our free MLB picks.
Pirates Bring the Stronger Lineup
Pittsburgh is batting .263 with a .342 on-base percentage and a .426 slugging percentage. The Pirates have recorded 516 runs, 886 hits, 125 home runs, and 88 stolen bases through 97 games. Pittsburgh ranks first in batting average and has scored 131 more runs than Cleveland, giving the Pirates a major statistical advantage at the plate. Nick Gonzales leads Pittsburgh with a .308 batting average and 104 hits, while Bryan Reynolds has a team-best .400 on-base percentage. Brandon Lowe supplies the main power threat with 21 home runs and 64 RBI, and Ryan O’Hearn has added 16 home runs and 63 RBI. Reynolds has 14 home runs and 59 RBI, giving Pittsburgh several hitters capable of producing runs throughout the order.
The concern for Pittsburgh is a pitching staff that has posted a 4.32 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Pirates pitchers have allowed 787 hits and 103 home runs while issuing 355 walks across 866.2 innings. Pittsburgh has struck out 883 batters, but the staff has recorded only 19 saves and ranks well behind Cleveland in team ERA
Injuries: Wilber Dotel - 15-day IL. Endy RodrĂguez - 10-day IL. Spencer Horwitz - 10-day IL. Oneil Cruz - 10-day IL. Evan Sisk - 15-day IL.
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Cleveland Relying on Pitching
Cleveland has struggled at the plate for much of the season, batting .229 with a .310 on-base percentage and a .369 slugging percentage. The Guardians have scored 385 runs with 732 hits and 93 home runs through 97 games. Cleveland ranks 29th in batting average and has 154 fewer hits than Pittsburgh. Chase DeLauter leads Cleveland with a .278 batting average, a .345 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, and 46 RBI. Brayan Rocchio is batting .276 with 88 hits, 44 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Jose Ramirez has 10 home runs, 33 RBI, and 24 stolen bases, but Ramirez is currently listed on the injured list.
Cleveland’s pitching has been much stronger than its hitting. The Guardians own a 3.71 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .237 batting average. Cleveland has 32 saves, 34 quality starts, and 870 strikeouts, although the staff has allowed 110 home runs and issued 321 walks.
Injuries: Angel Martinez - 10-day IL. Tim Herrin - 15-day IL. Jose Ramirez -10-day IL.Â
Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh Pirates - Paul Skenes
Skenes is 8-8 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP across 108.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 87 hits and 11 home runs while striking out 130 batters against only 24 walks. Skenes has the better strikeout total, walk rate, and WHIP in this matchup, giving Pittsburgh a strong chance to control Cleveland’s limited offense.
Cleveland Guardians - Tanner Bibee
The righthander is 3-9 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 113 innings. Bibee has allowed 96 hits and 20 home runs while recording 87 strikeouts and 34 walks. The 20 home runs allowed are a concern against a Pittsburgh lineup that has hit 125 homers and owns a .426 slugging percentage.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Pick
- Pittsburgh PiratesÂ
Pittsburgh has the stronger starting pitcher and a large offensive advantage. The Pirates are batting .263 compared with Cleveland’s .229 mark, while Pittsburgh has scored 516 runs against Cleveland’s 385. Skenes has a 1.02 WHIP with 130 strikeouts and only 24 walks, and he faces a Guardians lineup missing Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez. Cleveland has the better season-long pitching numbers, but Bibee has allowed 20 home runs and enters with a 3-9 record. The Pirates will win.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cleveland Guardians Over/Under Pick
- Over
Pittsburgh has scored 24 runs across its last three listed games and has produced at least five runs in three of the last five. The Pirates lead the league with a .263 batting average and have collected 125 home runs, while Bibee has allowed 20 homers in 113 innings. Cleveland’s offense has been much weaker, but the Guardians have scored at least three runs in four straight victories. Pittsburgh’s 4.32 team ERA and 1.32 WHIP leave room for Cleveland to contribute, making the over the play.
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