Pirates vs. Guardians Odds & Betting Predictions - August 30, 2024

Follow On X: https://x.com/PicksOffice Both pitchers carry the type of profiles that indicate they can limit damage, especially against lineups that have not found much clarity. Falter has had a rather uneven season with a 4.25 ERA, although his road performance is marginally better. This road improvement suggests he should be able to hold Cleveland's bats at bay, considering the Guardians rank only 22nd in team batting average at .237 while also checking in average in runs per game at 4.54. The biggest challenge for Falter will be getting through the top of the Cleveland lineup, which showed some life during their recent series in Kansas City. On the other side, DO NOT count out Ben Lively, who has been a reliable arm for Cleveland at home. His ability to induce poopers and limit the big fly is big against a Buccos lineup that ranks 25th in OPS (.677) and 21st in runs per game (4.21). The power has flashed in for Pittsburgh, but inconsistency - particularly against right-handed pitching - is a serious concern. The Pirates hit just .231 as a team against righties, posting a .298 on-base percentage that suggests they may struggle to manufacture runs against Lively, who is effective at avoiding big innings. The Cleveland bullpen has been one of the most consistent in the league, holding a cumulative ERA of 2.45, among the best in the major leagues. Recent form also goes significantly towards a low-scoring game. Wednesday's offensive eruption for Pittsburgh was an outlier in what has otherwise been a barren stretch, with the club mustering only a .236 average and a .321 on-base percentage over their last ten games. On the other side, while Cleveland's been far more consistent, they don't exactly light up the scoreboard, with the Under having hit in 37 of their 62 games at home this season. As it is, the Guardians does tend to get into close, low-scoring affairs, and when considering both teams boast offenses that rank outside the top 10 in most categories, the environment is perfect to support a game that goes under the total.

Bet to -120 or 9 (-101)