Kansas City
Royals
3-7
Moneyline
+100
MLB Predictions
Kansas City Royals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions
Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 1:35pm EST
@
Pittsburgh
Pirates
6-4
Moneyline
-120
40%
60%
Spread
Kansas City Royals -1.5
Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5
Moneyline
Kansas City Royals +100
Pittsburgh Pirates -120
Total
Over 8.5 (-108)
Under 8.5 (-112)
Professional Picks
0 listed
Professional Picks On This Game
No professional picks are available for this matchup.
Royals vs. Pirates Prediction: Pittsburgh Gets the Nod at +103
Analysis updated September 20, 2026 at 5:26 AM CDT
The Pirates have hit .271 over their last 10 games, compared with Kansas City's .212. That gives Pittsburgh an argument at plus money despite Wacha's slightly better pitching numbers.
Can Pittsburgh's bats justify the home pick?
Pittsburgh's recent hitting makes the Pirates worth a look at SPF's +103 against the -124 Royals. FOX Sports / Associated Press reports that Pittsburgh is 6-4 with a .271 batting average over its last 10 games, while Kansas City is 3-7 and hitting .212. That short stretch favors the home offense, though batting average alone doesn't establish how often either team will score.
The same report lists Pittsburgh at 41-36 at home and Kansas City at 28-52 on the road. Those records strengthen the case for picking the Pirates to win, but they don't measure how these particular pitchers will match up.
Probable pitchers and betting lean
Michael Wacha and Lake Bachar are listed as probable starters, not confirmed. Wacha has a 3.34 ERA and 1.10 WHIP for Kansas City; Bachar has a 3.50 ERA and 1.12 WHIP for Pittsburgh. Wacha's small advantage in those measures keeps this a low-confidence Pirates moneyline lean.
Pass on SPF's 8.5 total, priced at -105 over and -115 under. Despite Pittsburgh's better recent hitting, its staff has a 4.60 ERA over the last 10 games, compared with Kansas City's 4.29. Those mixed indicators don't support a clear total bet or a precise score prediction.
Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pittsburgh Pirates moneyline +103