Pirates vs Royals predictions
Looking at the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup heading into this matchup, it seems like Andrew McCutchen is primed to keep delivering steady at-bats—don’t be surprised if he chips in with a couple of hits and works a walk or two. Oneil Cruz brings his usual power threat to the table, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him drive a ball out of the park or at least notch an extra-base hit. These two are joined by Bryan Reynolds, who’s always a safe bet for quality contact and could easily add an RBI to his tally. When it comes to the mound, Mitch Keller looks set to deliver a solid five innings with a handful of strikeouts, but the bullpen may have to bail him out if things get sticky in the later frames.
Turning the focus to the Kansas City Royals, Maikel Garcia keeps making headlines with his hot bat, and with his ability to spray singles, he should set the table at least once or twice this game. Vinnie Pasquantino isn’t just a power threat—he’s a strong run producer and could break this one open with a timely extra-base hit or a long ball. Keep an eye on Bobby Witt Jr. too; his knack for swiping bags and driving in runs could really shift the momentum. With Seth Lugo getting the start, expect him to put together a quality outing, mixing his pitches and likely limiting the Pirates to a run or two over five steady innings.
Altogether, this matchup feels like the Royals’ game to lose, especially with Lugo's strong arm paired with several hot bats in their lineup. The Pirates have some talent, but their struggles on the road and trouble manufacturing runs can’t be ignored. With Kansas City’s offense capable of stringing hits together and their starter likely to keep things under control, the Royals have the edge here and are my pick to come out on top at Kauffman Stadium tonight.
