Pirates vs Tigers Odds, Predictions, Player Props & Starting Pitchers

May 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsThe Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon (May 29)In the first game of a double-header, Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones faces Tiger ace Tarik SkubalSee the Pirates vs Tigers odds, predictions, player-prop picks, and starting pitchers

An intriguing interleague game between the Pittsburgh Pirates (25-29, 13-14 away) and Detroit Tigers (26-27, 13-14 home) starts Wednesday’s MLB schedule when they meet in the first game of a double-header at Comerica Park at 12:35 pm ET.

While neither team is seriously challenging for a playoff spot at the moment, the matchup on the mound is a stellar one. Pittsburgh’s top starter, Jared Jones, toes the rubber for the Pirates while undisputed Detroit ace Tarik Skubal goes for the Tigers.

With Skubal on the mound, Detroit is a significant favorite to win game one of the double-header.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers Odds

Wednesday’s MLB odds list the Tigers as -155 home favorites with the Pirates at +130 to win. The game is at a miniscule 7.0 runs. The Tigers have been the third-best over bet in the league this season at 28-22-3 O/U while Pittsburgh has one more over than under (26-25-3 O/U).

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Odds as of May 29 at DraftKings. See SBD’s list of the best MLB betting apps to wager on Wednesday’s baseball slate. 

Tuesday’s game was postponed due to inclement weather. Pittsburgh enters Wednesday off an 8-1 loss to the Braves on Sunday but did manage to take two of three from Atlanta, improving the Pirates’ record to 6-4 in their last 10. Pittsburgh is three back of the last Wild Card spot in the NL.

The Tigers ended a five-game losing streak by taking three in a row from the Blue Jays from Friday to Sunday. Detroit is currently 3.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card berth.

PIT vs DET Starting Pitchers

Wednesday’s pitching matchup features two hurler’s with WHIPs under 1.00, a rarity at this point of the season. For the Pirates, Jared Jones is sporting a 3.05 ERA and 0.97 WHIP though 10 starts.

Jones has been a model of consistency for the Bucs, going at least five innings in every start without surrendering more than three runs (earned or unearned). He wasn’t at his best in his last start, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against the Giants. Jones only had five Ks against San Francisco, just the second time this season he didn’t reach at least seven.

Jones has never started against the Tigers nor faced any of the current Detroit hitters.

Jared Jones vs Tarik Skubal

JonesVSSkubal

On the Detroit side, Skubal has been lights out with a 6-1 record, 2.25 ERA, and 0.85 WHIP. He’s the current favorite in the AL Cy Young odds. Like Jones, though, Skubal didn’t have his best stuff in his last start. The 6’3 lefty was tagged for four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.0 innings in an 8-3 loss at the Royals.

Skubal has faced a handful of the Pittsburgh hitters over his career, but the sample size is small. In 39 total at-bats, Pirates hitters are slashing .282/.317/.410 against Skubal with one home run (courtesy Edward Olivares) and two doubles.

Pirates vs Tigers Prediction

This is a matchup of two elite pitchers facing two light-hitting lineups, hence the total of just 7.0 runs. Detroit and Pittsburgh rank 23rd and 26th, respectively, in wRC+ and both are well below average in wOBA, slugging, and on-base percentage.

Bettors can get plus-money on under 1.5 runs in the first three innings, which is generous from oddsmakers. While both pitchers were subpar in their last starts, their “par” is a high bar, and I expect bounce-back performances from both on Wednesday afternoon.

PIT vs DET picks:

First three innings under 1.5 runs (+124)Jones over 6.5 strikeouts (+105)

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